THE  LIBRARY 

OF 

THE  UNIVERSITY 
OF  CALIFORNIA 

Rare  Book  Room 
GIFT  OF 

John  W«  Beckman 


THE 

WOODMAN'S  NANNETTE. 


BY  THE  AUTHOR  OF 

'THE  BLUE  FLAG,"  "THE  AUNT  FRIENDLY 
BOOKS,"  ETC. 


"  She  hath  done  what  she  could. 


"          «'****'  ^C-V^L^ 


PUBLISHED  BY  THE 
AMERICAN  TRACT   SOCIETY, 

150  NASSAU-STREET,  NEW  YORK. 


Entered  according  to  Act  of  Congress,  in  the  year  18C2,  by  the 
AMERICAN  TRACT  SOCIETY,  in  the  Clerk's  Office  of  the  District  Court 
of  the  Southern  District  of  the  State  of  New  York. 


THERE  are  few  peculiarities  which  more 
distinctly  mark  the  difference  between  a 
heathen  and  a  Christian  nation,  than  the 
treatment  of  the  unfortunate  of  our  race. 
If  one  kindly  effort  should  be  prompted, 
or  one  heart  stirred  to  greater  gratitude, 
the  writer's  object  in  the  conception  and 
description  of  the  character  of  Nannette 
will  not  be  lost. 


CONTENTS. 


CHAPTER  I. 

An  odd  Nurse • 


CHAPTER  II. 
Keconciliation - - 14 

CHAPTER  III. 
An  Offer 25 

CHAPTER  IV. 
Bessie 33 

CHAPTER  V. 
A  Young  Traveller 40 

CHAPTER  VI. 
The  Asylum - 45 

CHAPTER  VII. 
Bessie's  Petition - - 49 

CHAPTER  VIII. 
The  Visit 65 

CHAPTER  IX. 
Seeing  Wonders - 73 

CHAPTER  X. 
Reunion - - -     78 

CHAPTER  XI. 
A  Time  of  Need • 87 

CHAPTER  XII. 
A  Welcome  Guest - 92 

CHAPTER  XIII. 
Ben  at  Home - 97 

CHAPTER  XIV. 
Light  at  Evening-time 105 


THE 

WOODMAN'S  NAOETTE. 


CHAPTER  I. 

AN  ODD  NUESE. 

ON  the  edge  of  one  of  our  western 
forests  stood  a  small  log-house.  It  was 
a  summer  afternoon,  and  the  low  win 
dows  were  wide  open,  so  that  a  curious 
traveller  could  readily  have  had  a  peep 
at  what  was  going  on  within.  Travel 
lers,  however,  were  rarely  seen  along 
that  road ;  and  the  rough  woodmen  who 
went  by  on  their  loaded  wagons,  only 
stopped  to  get  a  cup  of  pure  water  from 
the  cool  spring  near  the  cottage. 

So  it  happened  that  the  only  human 


8     THE  WOODMAN'S  NANNETTE. 

being  within  the  house  had  a  nice  long 
nap  that  June  day.  Snug  in  its  cradle 
lay  a  plump,  rosy  baby,  with  its  hand 
doubled  up  in  its  sleep,  and  its  flaxen 
hair  lying  light  about  its  head,  like  a 
halo. 

Just  as  sweet  and  fresh  and  beautiful 
looked  that  little  darling,  as  if  it  had 
been  in  a  swinging  basket  wadded  with 
down  and  lined  with  silk;  and  yet  its 
cradle  was  but  a  wooden  trough  set  upon 
rockers,  a  piece  of  its  father's  own  handi 
work. 

To  and  fro  moved  the  rough  cradle, 
while  the  paw  of  a  great  dog  was  on  the 
rocker,  gently  and  carefully  keeping  up 
the  motion.  A  queer-looking  nurse  truly 
was  that  large,  spotted  dog,  with  his 
earnest  brown  eyes  and  his  wise  counte 
nance.  He  seemed  to  think  himself  fully 
competent  for  the  business,  and  certainly 
he  was  a  trustworthy  creature.  Not 


AN  ODD  NURSE.  9 

once  had  he  left  his  position  since  his 
mistress  had  shut  the  door  behind  her, 
though  a  tumbler  of  sweet  milk  stood  on 
a  table  near  him,  and  a  big  pussy-cat 
was  sunning  herself  in  the  window. 

Even  the  dog  Bounce  could  not  make 
baby's  nap  last  all  the  afternoon,  though 
he  rocked  away  as  faithfully  as  if  he 
were  to  have  a  bite  of  fresh  meat  for 
every  moment  she  slept. 

Little  Nannette  was  restless  at  first; 
then  she  suddenly  opened  her  great  blue 
eyes,  and  looked  straight  at  Bounce,  as 
much  as  to  say,  "  You  needn't  rock  any 
more,  for  I  am  quite  done  with  business 
of  that  kind."  There  was  a  dreamy, 
queer  look  to  her  eyes,  after  all,  and  she 
had  to  rub  them  well  before  she  was  half 
as  wide  awake  as  she  pretended  to  be. 

Bounce  put  his  head  into  the  cradle, 
and  presumed  to  give  that  little  rosy 
cheek  that  was  fit  for  a  princess  to  kiss, 


10          THE  WOODMAN'S  NANNETTE. 

a  salute  with  his  own  red  tongue.  Baby 
Nannette  did  not  take  it  at  all  amiss,  but 
laid  hold  of  his  ear  in  return ;  and  so 
they  were  on  friendly  terms  at  once. 
But  this  could  not  last  always,  and  Nan 
nette  at  length  began  to  pucker  up  her 
little  face  and  make  ready  to  cry. 

Bounce  did  not  wait  any  longer,  but 
going  to  the  window  the  cat  had  left 
vacant,  he  put  his  forepaws  on  the  sill, 
and  set  up  such  a  shrill  bark  as  would 
be  heard  for  many  a  rod.  A  strong, 
loud  sound  it  was;  yet  little  Nannette 
did  not  seem  to  notice  it;  she  did  not 
even  turn  her  head  that  way,  but  kept 
snivelling  up  her  little  nose,  and  making 
it  look  like  a  wrinkled  cherry,  which  by 
no  means  added  to  her  beauty.  At  the 
window,  barking  away,  Bounce  kept  his 
place  until  he  saw  a  woman  come  out  of 
the  forest  with  a  bundle  of  sticks  on  her 
head.  Slight  and  girlish  was  the  worn- 


AN  ODD  NURSE.  11 

an's  figure,  and  young  and  cheerful  was 
her  face,  and  yet  no  one  could  doubt  that 
she  was  the  mother  of  the  waking  baby, 
there  was  such  a  sweet,  earnest,  loving 
look  in  her  countenance  as  she  moved 
very  rapidly  towards  the  cottage.  Bounce 
gave  a  quick  low  bark  of  satisfaction  as 
she  entered  his  nursery;  but  Nannette 
kept  up  her  low  whimper  until  her  moth 
er  was  fairly  bending  over  her ;  then  the 
little  nose  was  smoothed  out  all  at  once, 
and  her  eyes  laughed  out  their  joy  from 
behind  their  cloud  of  recent  tears. 

What  a  time  the  mother  and  baby  had 
together ;  what  a  merry-making  all  in 
their  own  way!  while  Bounce  capered 
about  them,  apparently  quite  glad  to  be 
relieved  from  his  responsible  position. 
Nannette  returned  smile  for  smile,  and  a 
winning,  tender  look  for  every  soft  ca 
ress.  Perhaps  her  mother  was  not  skill 
ed  in  baby-talk,  or  Nannette  was  very 


12     THE  WOODMAN'S  NANNETTE. 

ungrateful ;  or  perhaps  she  did  not  quite 
believe  she  was  the  "  precious,  darling, 
deary  pet"  that  her  mother  described  in 
such  glowing  colors.  At  any  rate,  Nan- 
nette  seemed  to  take  all  the  smiles  and 
kisses,  while  the  pretty  words  did  not 
make  her  so  much  as  wink  one  of  her 
round  blue  eyes. 

When  the  tumbler  of  milk  and  a  full 
half  slice  of  bread  had  made  Nannette 
very  comfortable,  she  was  ready  to  see 
Bounce  sit  with  a  crumb  on  his  nose,  not 
once  offering  to  stir  until  he  heard  the 
word  of  command,  and  then  he  threw 
the  precious  morsel  into  the  air,  and 
caught  it  in  his  mouth,  while  baby  Nan- 
nette  clapped  her  hands  with  delight. 

The  mother  placed  Nannette  on  the 
floor,  and  then  stepping  out  the  door, 
she  waited  a  minute,  and  came  in  very 
softly,  her  face  towards  the  child's  back. 
" Here's  mamma!"  she  exclaimed j  but 


AN  ODD  NURSE.  13 

Nannette  did  not  turn  her  head  until 
Bounce  made  a  great  leap  towards  his 
mistress. 

This  was  perhaps  the  hundredth  time 
that  the  mother  had  tried  the  same  ex 
periment  with  as  little  success. 

"Poor  dear,"  she  said,  as  she  took 
Nannette  the  more  tenderly  in  her  arms, 
"poor  dear,  she  will  never  hear  any 
cross  words,  and  her  mother  will  love 
her  all  the  better."  Yes,  Nannette  was 
perfectly  deaf.  The  mother  knew  it; 
she  had  suspected  it  these  three  months ; 
and  yet  she  was  ever  making  a  new 
trial,  to  be  but  the  more  surely  con 
vinced  of  the  sad  fact. 

There  was  nothing  wrong  about  the 
baby's  sweet  mouth ;  all  was  right  in  that 
wee  red-lined  throat.  Dear,  pleasant 
words  she  might  soon  have  spoken ;  but 
with  those  closed  ears  she  must  ever  be 
silent.  She  must  be  deaf  and  dumb ! 


14    THE  WOODMAN'S  NANNETTE. 


CHAPTER  II. 

RECONCILIATION. 

Two  years  had  passed  away  very  hap 
pily  for  Nannette.  She  could  run  about 
now,  and  pluck  the  dandelions  by  the 
door-stone,  or  sift  the  dry  sand  of  the 
pathway  through  her  plump  fingers.  She 
had  Bounce  for  her  play-fellow,  and  her 
mother  for  her  admirer,  and  so  she  got 
on  very  well,  though  she  was  deaf  and 
dumb. 

Ben  Kuhn  and  his  wife  Kitty  thought 
their  Nannette  the  prettiest  child  in  the 
county;  and  if  she  could  not  speak,  she 
had  a  thousand  sweet  ways  of  her  own. 
She  could  so  imitate  the  motions  of  the 
great  rooster  that  flapped  his  wings  and 
crowed  on  the  fence,  that  you  expected 


RECONCILIATION.  15 

every  minute  to  hear  an  exact  counter 
part  of  his  note  come  from  her  open 
mouth.  As  for  Bounce  and  the  cat,  she 
had  a  way  of  caricaturing  all  their  move 
ments  and  manners,  which  prompted  Ben 
to  many  a  hearty  laugh,  and  served  him 
for  entertainment  when  he  came  home 
from  his  day's  work. 

As  the  years  passed  by,  one  trouble 
lay  heavy  on  Kitty's  mind.  She  had  a 
Friend  who  was  dearer  to  her  than  life 
itself ;  must  this  Friend  be  ever  a  stran 
ger  to  Nannette  ?  Kitty  knew  not  how 
to  tell  her  darling  about  the  great  God 
who  made  her.  She  could  not  touch  her 
young  heart  with  the  story  of  the  Sav 
iour's  love. 

Much,  very  much  Kitty  had  thought 
on  this  subject.  Often  she  had  stolen  to 
the  bedside  of  her  sleeping  child,  and 
had  commended  her  to  the  care  of  the 
Saviour,  who  loves  the  little  ones,  sure 


16          THE  WOODMAN'S  NANNETTE. 

that  this  afflicted  lamb  would  be  his 
especial  care. 

"I  will  make  her  obedient  and  gentle, 
and  in  this  she  will  keep  God's  law.  I 
will  teach  her  to  fold  her  little  hands 
while  I  pray  for  her.  I  will  try  to  set 
her  the  example  of  what  a  Christian 
ought  to  be,  and  perhaps  by  and  by  God 
will  show  me  some  better  way  of  letting 
her  know  about  Him." 

Slowly  Kitty  had  come  to  these  con 
clusions  ;  and  although  it  was  not  exactly 
in  these  words  that  she  expressed  them 
to  herself,  this  was  their  substance.  Who 
could  doubt  that,  under  such  training, 
the  little  mute  would  become  attractive 
in  other  eyes  than  those  of  her  fond 
mother. 

Nannette  proved  a  handy  little  lassie, 
and  it  was  wonderful  how  soon  she  be 
came  a  help  in  the  humble  duties  of  the 
cottage;  and  Ben  and  Kitty  often  had 


RECONCILIATION.  17 

occasion  to  say  that  their  unfortunate 
child  gave  them  far  less  sorrow  than  they 
might  have  had  to  bear  from  a  saucy 
talker  or  a  deceitful  eavesdropper. 

Ten  years  had  come  and  gone,  with 
their  cold  and  snow,  their  sunshine  and 
flowers,  since  Nannette  was  a  babe  in 
the  cradle,  and  still  Bounce  was  her 
chosen  friend  and  play-fellow.  They 
had  been  having  a  nice  gambol  together 
one  fine  summer  day,  and  all  in  a  heat 
Nannette  had  seated  herself  beneath  a 
great  tree.  Bounce  established  himself 
beside  her,  and  she  threw  her  arm  round 
his  neck,  and  pressed  his  rough  cheek  to 
hers  as  tenderly  as  if  he  had  been  a  hu 
man  friend.  A  friend  indeed  he  had 
been  to  her  these  many  years,  and  from 
many  a  danger  he  had  saved  her.  Ben 
and  Kitty  were  never  uneasy  about  the 
child  if  Bounce  was  with  her ;  for  no  one 
could  harm  the  helpless  little  one  while 


18     THE  WOODMAN'S  NANNETTE. 

the  dog's  fierce  bark  and  strong  teeth 
were  at  her  service. 

Now  he  began  to  utter  a  low  growl  as 
the  sound  of  horses'  hoofs  was  heard  in 
the  distance ;  and  when  the  mounted 
rider  came  in  sight  of  his  young  mistress, 
Bounce  was  standing  at  her  side,  his  feet 
on  her  dress,  and  his  whole  air  proclaim 
ing  that  he  was  her  protector. 

"How  many  miles  is  it  to  the  next 
town,  my  little  girl?"  said  the  stranger, 
as  he  paused  in  front  of  Nannette. 

Nannette  of  course  made  no  reply,  and 
the  stranger  repeated  his  question  some 
what  more  authoritatively  than  at  first. 
Bounce  gave  a  low  growl,  and  Nannette 
placed  her  fingers  in  her  ears,  shaking  her 
head  at  the  same  time  by  way  of  letting 
the  new-comer  know  that  she  was  deaf. 

The  gentleman  was  no  adept  in  the 
language  of  signs,  and  he  quite  misun 
derstood  her  meaning. 


RECONCILIATION.  19 

"  You  stop  your  ears,  and  wont  hear 
my  question,  eh,  you  saucy  little  thing," 
he  said.  "Then  I  must  get  down  and 
see  if  there  is  any  body  older  and  more 
civil  in  the  house  to  tell  me  what  I  want 
to  know.'7 

Bounce  did  not  like  the  expression  of 
the  stranger's  face  as  he  looked  at  his 
little  mistress,  and  seeing  him  dismount 
ing  with  a  heavy  riding- whip  in  his  hand, 
he  sprang  towards  him  with  a  threaten 
ing  bark. 

The  gentleman  was  irritated,  and  with 
a  sudden  movement  he  struck  at  Bounce 
with  the  heavy  whip  and  hit  him  on  one 
of  his  forelegs.  There  was  a  long  mis 
erable  howl  from  Bounce  as  he  retreated 
slightly  and  took  his  place  directly  in 
front  of  his  mistress,  as  if  willing  to  die 
in  her  defence,  but  not  anxious  to  risk 
another  such  blow  unnecessarily. 

Nannette  gave  a  cry,  a  strange,  unnat- 


20    THE  WOODMAN'S  NANNETTE. 

ural  cry  of  distress,  and  her  tears  fell 
fast  as  she  strove  to  take  the  poor  wound 
ed  paw  in  her  hand.  Bounce  would  not 
allow  this,  though  he  was  quivering  all 
over  with  pain;  he  plainly  thought  the 
battle  not  yet  done. 

Nannette's  peculiar  cry  had  brought 
her  mother  in  a  moment  to  her  side,  for 
the  child  was  but  under  the  tree  that 
overshadowed  the  wayside  spring  near 
the  cottage. 

"Nannette,  dear,"  exclaimed  Kitty, 
as  she  ran  to  her  darling,  hardly  noticing 
the  presence  of  the  stranger.  Nannette 
showed  her  mother  the  suffering  paw  of 
her  spirited  friend,  and  then  her  features 
expressed  horror  and  dislike  as  she 
pointed  towards  the  author  of  the  mis 
fortune. 

Kitty  turned  to  look  at  the  stranger, 
and  saw  a  rather  stout,  middle-aged 
gentleman,  whose  round  face  was  either 


RECONCILIATION.  21 

very  much  heated  or  flushed  with  recent 
anger. 

"I  struck  pretty  hard,  I  believe,"  he 
said,  apologetically;  " but  the  child  put 
her  fingers  in  her  ears  to  keep  from  hear 
ing  my  question,  and  the  dog  sprang  at 
me  as  if  he  were  going  to  eat  me 
up." 

"  She 's  quite  deaf,  my  Nannette.  She 
can't  speak  or  hear/7  said  Kitty,  simply. 
"  That  was  what  she  wanted  to  tell  you. 
The  dog  is  as  kind  as  a  lamb,  only  when 
he  thinks  some  one  is  going  to  hurt  her, 
and  then  he  7s  just  like  a  lion,  and  almost 
as  strong." 

"A  good,  brave  fellow,"  said  the 
stranger,  much  softened.  " He's  worth 
his  weight  in  gold.  I  'm  sorry  I  hit  him 
so  hard ;  but  his  fangs  looked  ugly,  as  he 
let  me  have  the  benefit  of  a  full  sight  of 
them.  I  am  tired  out  with  riding  over 
these  rough  roads.  Is  not  there  a  public- 


22    THE  WOODMAN'S  NANNETTE. 

house  somewhere  near,  where  I  could  get 
dinner  and  rest  a  while?77 

"There's  no  tavern  near  us,  I'm 
thankful  to  say.  It's  the  taverns  that 
ruin  the  men,"  said  Kitty  quickly;  "but 
if  you  '11  come  in  a  bit,  I  can  give  you 
bread  and  butter,  and  either  sweet  milk 
or  cold  water,  which  ever  suits  you 
best." 

Nannette  wondered  much  when  she 
saw  her  mother  taking  the  stranger  within 
the  cottage,  while  her  own  soul  was  boil 
ing  over  with  dislike  to  him. 

A  tidy  place  was  that  small  cottage, 
and  the  stranger  stopped  to  wipe  his  feet 
on  the  braided  mat  at  the  door  before  he 
stepped  on  the  clean,  scoured  floor.  He 
could  not  tell  whether  his  appetite  was 
unusual,  but  it  seemed  to  him  he  had 
never  tasted  such  bread  and  milk  in  the 
world,  and  long  he  lingered  over  them, 
while  Kitty  was  willingly  led  on  to  talk 


RECONCILIATION.  23 

of  Nannette  and  Bounce.  "Now  for  a 
taste  of  that  cold  water/7  he  said  at 
length,  as  he  drew  back  from  the  white 
table. 

Kitty  stepped  to  the  door  with  a  small 
bucket  in  her  hand,  and  made  a  sign  to 
Nannette  to  fill  it  at  the  spring. 

Nannette  came  unwillingly ;  she  did 
not  wish  to  do  any  thing  for  the  stranger, 
not  she.  Bounce  seemed  much  of  her 
opinion,  for  he  growled  as  he  limped 
along  beside  his  mistress. 

Here  was  an  opportunity  for  teaching 
the  child  forgiveness,  and  Kitty  was  de 
termined  to  make  use  of  it.  She  drew 
Nannette  into  the  cottage,  and  taking 
her  up  to  the  stranger,  signified  to  her 
by  rude  signs  that  her  mother  felt  kindly 
to  him,  and  she  must  do  so  too. 

Nannette  hung  her  head  for  a  moment, 
but  Kitty's  face  looked  loving,  yet  de 
cided.  There  was  an  evident  struggle 


24    THE  WOODMAN'S  NANNETTE. 

in  the  child's  mind,  and  then  she  sud 
denly  put  up  her  mouth  to  be  kissed  by 
the  stranger.  Tenderly  he  kissed  her, 
tenderly  as  if  she  had  been  his  own  child. 
The  poor  mute's  forgiveness  touched  his 
heart,  and  he  warmed  with  love  towards 
her. 

Mr.  Haviland's  hasty  temper  often 
made  him  appear  worse  than  he  really 
was.  He  was  heartily  sorry  for  his  mo 
ment  of  passion,  and  when  he  shortly 
afterwards  left  Kitty  Kuhn's  cottage,  it 
was  with  the  kindliest  feelings  towards 
its  inmates. 


AN  OFFER.  25 

CHAPTER  III. 

AN   OFFER. 

MR.  HAVILAKD'S  journey  might,  in  our 
time,  have  been  taken  between  breakfast 
and  dinner;  but  there  were  no  swift- 
moving  cars  then  to  bear  him  on  his 
way.  He  and  his  good  horse  were  two 
long,  weary  days  on  that  rough  road,  be 
fore  they  came  to  their  place  of  destina 
tion.  It  was  not  with  much  pleasure 
that  the  stout  gentleman  looked  forward 
to  the  return  trip,  which  he  was  called 
on  to  take  when  a  week  was  over.  Yet 
there  was  one  bright  spot  on  that  home 
ward  path:  he  should  stop  at  Kuhn's 
cottage,  and  have  another  peep  at  his 
little  deaf  and  dumb  friend,  who  had 
been  much  in  his  mind  since  they 
parted. 


26    THE  WOODMAN'S  NANNETTE. 

When  Mr.  Haviland  for  the  second 
time  fastened  his  horse  under  the  oak  by 
the  spring,  Nannette  was  not  at  her 
favorite  seat  among  its  roots. 

Bounce,  however,  was  soon  aware  of 
his  approach,  and  gave  a  warning  bark, 
which  saved  the  stranger  the  trouble  of 
knocking  at  the  door. 

There  was  a  quick  sound  of  a  chair 
moving  on  the  bare  floor,  and  in  another 
moment  Kitty  herself  stood  on  the  thresh 
old  to  bid  the  visitor  welcome. 

He  had  not  come  to  tax  her  hospital 
ity  this  time,  though  the  white  bread  on 
the  table  looked  very  tempting,  and  Ben, 
who  was  at  his  dinner,  seconded  Kitty's 
invitation  to  the  gentleman  to  share  their 
humble  meal. 

Nannette  took  the  tumbler  of  milk 
beside  her  own  plate,  and  carried  it  to 
the  stranger,  while  her  open,  pleasant 
countenance  was  turned  first  towards 


AN  OFFER.  2? 

him  and  then  towards  her  mother  for 
approval. 

Kitty  nodded  pleasantly,  and  Nan- 
nette  was  satisfied,  though  Mr.  Haviland 
with  a  wave  of  his  hand  refused  the 
proffered  refreshment. 

Nannette  quietly  sat  down  to  enjoy  it 
herself,  while  Mr.  Haviland  said,  "I  did 
not  come  to  take  my  dinner  here  to-day. 
I  took  care  to  have  my  luncheon  with 
me  this  time.  I  come  on  business  now. 
This,  I  suppose,  is  the  man  of  the  house," 
and  he  looked  at  Ben. 

"Yes;  Ben  Kuhn,  my  husband,"  was 
Kitty's  prompt  reply. 

Kitty  dropped  a  courtesy  of  respect 
to  Mr.  Haviland  as  she  spoke ;  but  the 
glance  with  which  she  favored  Ben  at 
the  same  time  was  far  more  complimen 
tary.  There  was  such  a  mingling  of 
pride  and  affection  in  it  as  proved  that 
he  was  a  husband  she  would  not  be 


28          THE  WOODMAN'S  NANNETTE. 

ashamed  to  own  even  to  the  king  him 
self. 

"Well  then,  Ben/'  continued  Mr.  Hav- 
iland,  "I  suppose  my  business  must  be 
transacted  with  you.  I  want  to  buy 
your  dog.  I  am  willing  to  pay  hand 
somely  for  him;  and  to  cut  the  matter 
short,  I  offer  you  fifty  dollars  for  him. 
I  am  not  giving  you  the  money ;  the  dog 
is  fully  worth  the  price,  and  would  be 
especially  so  to  me." 

Kitty's  face  had  assumed  a  look  of 
alarm  while  the  stranger  was  speaking; 
but  as  he  named  the  price  he  offered,  an 
anxious  doubt  seemed  to  be  troubling 
her  mind. 

Fifty  dollars !  Such  a  sum  as  that  in 
clear  money  had  never  been  seen  in  Ben 
Kuhn's  cottage.  Ben  knew  that,  and  it 
only  took  a  second  for  a  train  of  imagi 
nary  comforts  to  sweep  through  his  mind 
as  the  sure  followers  of  such  a  golden 


AN  OFFER.  29 

treasure.  Yery  little  effect  had  this  vis 
ion  upon  honest  Ben  Kuhn,  and  his  an 
swer  was  prompt  and  decided. 

"The  dog  is  not  mine,  sir.  My  old 
master's  son  left  him  with  me  when  he 
went  over  the  water,  and  I  promised  to 
take  care  of  him  until  he  came  Iback.  no 
matter  how  long  that  should  be.  Bounce 
was  only  a  pup  then,  for  it  was  eleven 
years  ago ;  and  I  can't  say  truly  whether 
Master  John  is  living  or  not.  I  do  n't 
know  either  whether  he  could  find  me  if 
he  should  come  back,  for  we  moved  out 
here  when  our  Nannette  was  a  mere 
baby.  Anyhow,  it  shall  never  be  said, 
Ben  Kuhn  took  money  for  what  was  not 
his  own." 

While  her  husband  was  speaking,  Kit 
ty's  face  had  been  marked  by  changing 
expressions.  Her  first  impression  at 
this  unthought-of  mode  of  settling  the 
question  was  succeeded  by  such  a  sense 


30    THE  WOODMAN'S  NANNETTE. 

of  the  honesty  of  her  good  husband,  as 
made  her  stand  upright  and  look  at  him 
with  proud  satisfaction. 

11  You  are  an  honest  man,"  said  Mr. 
Haviland,  "and  I  like  you  for  it;  and 
yet  I  had  set  my  heart  on  the  dog.  I 
have  a  little  girl  at  home  about  the  age, 
I  should  think,  of  your  child.  I  could 
have  paid  almost  any  sum  to  have  had 
such  a  protector  as  your  Bounce  seems 
to  be  for  a  child  he  fancies.'7 

" Is  she  deaf  and  dumb  too?"  asked 
Kitty  sympathetically 

It  was  a  simple  question,  but  it  made 
the  father's  heart  thrill  as  he  quickly 
responded,  uNo;  thank  God,  my  little 
Bess  has  no  such  misfortunes.  You 
should  hear  her  singing  wherever  she 
goes,  the  life  of  the  house." 

' '  I  think  she  hardly  needs  Bounce  as 
much  as  our  poor  Nannette  does,"  said 
Kitty  quickly. 


AN  OFFER.  31 

"  You  are  right,  you  are  right,"  said 
Mr.  Haviland,  half  ashamed  of  himself 
for  the  offer  he  had  made ;  and  yet  it  had 
not  been  wholly  a  selfish  proposition. 
He  had  wanted  to  do  something  for  the 
little  mute,  and  it  had  struck  his  mind 
that  by  purchasing  the  dog  he  could 
throw  money  into  her  parents'  hands, 
which  they  would  well  know  how  to 
spend. 

Nannette  had  been  an  eager  observer 
of  the  conversation,  but  had  no  idea  of 
its  subject ;  yet  when  Mr.  Haviland  rode 
away,  and  Kitty  threw  her  arm  around 
Bounce's  rough  neck  and  gave  him  a 
tender  caress,  Nannette  heartily  joined 
her. 

In  this  way  they  could  understand 
each  other.  They  both  loved  Bounce, 
and  would  not  have  parted  with  him 
without  a  bitter  struggle. 

As  for  Ben  Kuhn,  he  went  whistling 


32    THE  WOODMAN'S  NANNETTE. 

off  to  the  woods,  with  his  axe  on  his 
shoulder.  He  had  but  done  his  duty, 
and  perhaps  the  fifty  dollars  or  the 
stranger  might  not  cross  his  mind  for 
many  a  day. 


BESSIE.  33 


CHAPTER  IV. 

BESSIE. 

BESSIE  HAVILAND  was  surely  neither 
deaf  nor  dumb.  Her  quick  ear  was  the 
first  to  catch  the  sound  of  her  father's 
returning  footsteps,  and  her  voice  was 
the  one  to  bid  him  welcome. 

Never  had  the  sound,  "Dear  father," 
seemed  as  precious  to  Mr.  Haviland  as 
at  this  moment.  Kitty's  simple  question 
was  still  ringing  in  his  ears.  What  a 
cause  for  gratitude  had  ever  escaped  his 
notice!  His  only  child  was  marred  by 
no  blemish ;  that  was  indeed  a  mercy. 

Again  and  again  he  looked  at  her 
beaming,  expressive  face,  as  she  sat  at 
the  supper-table  that  evening,  and  his 
heart  seemed  doubly  full  of  love  to  his 
darling.  At  length  he  said,  "  I  meant  to 
have  brought  you  a  beautiful  present, 


34    THE  WOODMAN'S  NANNETTE. 

Bessie :  a  Dalmatian  coach -dog,  the 
most  sagacious  animal  I  ever  saw  in  my 
life." 

"What  color  was  he?  Oh,  I  should 
have  so  liked  to  have  him,"  said  Bessie, 
eagerly. 

"He  was  white,  with  black  spots  and 
a  few  brown  dashes.  I  will  tell  you  all 
about  him,"  said  Mr.  Haviland.  Then 
followed  a  full  account  of  his  visits  to  the 
cottage  of  the  Kuhns. 

Bessie's  interest  in  the  dog  was  soon 
lost  in  her  absorbing  desire  to  hear  more 
and  more  about  Nannette.  Her  father 
had  to  describe  the  poor  mute  again  and 
again,  and  to  show  her  every  gesture. 

"Poor  girl,"  exclaimed  Bessie ;  "I  am 
glad  you  could  not  get  the  dog  for  me. 
And  so  her  mother  asked  if  I  was  deaf 
and  dumb." 

Bessie's  face  grew  thoughtful  as  she 
spoke.  There  was  no  true  Christian 


BESSIE.  35 

friend  at  hand  just  then  to  prompt  the 
child's  softened  heart  to  gratitude  to  her 
merciful  heavenly  Father.  Alas,  Bes 
sie's  parents  were  keeping  the  choicest 
treasure  from  their  only  darling.  They 
had  surrounded  her  with  every  comfort, 
and  made  her  life  happy  by  their  fond 
affection ;  but  they  had  never  taught  her 
to  love  the  best,  the  almighty  Friend. 
Her  prayers  she  repeated  morning  and 
evening,  and  Sunday  after  Sunday  she 
was  regularly  at  church  ;  but  no  one 
spoke  to  her  of  the  Saviour  as  ever  at 
her  side,  ready  to  help  her  feeblest  effort 
to  do  right,  and  gently  lead  her  in  the 
path  to  heaven. 

Mr.  and  Mrs.  Haviland  had  enjoyed 
long  years  of  prosperity ;  the  world  was 
to  them  a  pleasant  place,  and  they  thought 
but  little  of  the  eternity  towards  which 
they  were  certainly  hurrying. 

Happily  Bessie  was  naturally  warm- 


36     THE  WOODMAN'S  NANNETTE. 

hearted  and  sunny-tempered,  and  had 
not  yet  been  rendered  wholly  selfish  by 
the  indulgence  to  which  she  had  been 
accustomed.  She  was  full  of  love  to  her 
parents,  but  she  knew  nothing  of  sacri 
ficing  her  pleasure  for  others,  or  of  mak 
ing  efforts  to  increase  the  happiness  of 
those  around  her,  and  living  to  please 
the  Saviour. 

A  new  idea  had  now  been  started  in 
her  mind,  a  new  impression  had  been 
made  upon  her.  The  contrast  between 
the  poor  mute  in  the  way-side  cottage 
and  herself,  surrounded  by  every  com 
fort  and  blessed  with  so  many  privileges, 
was  forcibly  thrust  upon  her  young  heart. 

Again  she  repeated,  "I  am  glad  I  did 
not  have  the  dog.  Poor  Nannette." 

That  evening  Bessie  was  very  busy. 
She  had  ransacked  her  library  until  she 
had  found  the  book  she  sought.  Then 
she  laid  it  open  on  the  table  before  her, 


BESSIE.  31 

and  diligently  she  tried  to  place  her 
hands  in  the  positions  represented  in  the 
engravings  in  the  book. 

"  What  is  my  Bessie  doing?7'  said  her 
father,  looking  up  suddenly  from  his 
newspaper. 

"I  am  trying  to  learn  the  deaf  and 
dumb  alphabet.  See  here,  father,  it 
shows  in  my  book  how  they  teach  the 
deaf  and  dumb  to  talk." 

"I  think  your  little  tongue  talks  fast 
enough,"  said  the  father,  looking  over 
her  book  with  a  smile. 

"Yes,"  said  Bessie  soberly;  "but  I 
mean  to  learn  how  to  talk  with  my  fin 
gers,  and  then  if  I  ever  see  Nannette,  or 
any  deaf  and  dumb  people,  I'll  teach 
them.  It  must  be  dreadful  not  to  be 
able  to  talk." 

"  I  am  afraid  you  would  make  a  very 
poor  teacher;  you  are  not  quite  steady 
enough  for  that.  Would  you  like  to  see 


38    THE  WOODMAN'S  NANNLTTE. 

the  Deaf  and  Dumb  Asylum  in  our  own 
city?  I  am  sure  it  would  interest  you.7' 

The  father  thought  but  of  giving  his 
child  pleasure ;  and  his  end  seemed  ac 
complished,  for  Bessie's  face  was  per 
fectly  beaming  at  the  proposal. 

The  visit  to  the  Deaf  and  Dumb  Asy 
lum  took  place  the  next  day,  and  a  very 
interesting  visit  it  was. 

Bessie  was  unusually  thoughtful  all  the 
way  home,  and  when  at  last  she  sat  by 
her  father's  side  in  their  own  parlor,  she 
said,  "  Father,  will  you  do  something  for 
me  ?  Will  you  have  Nannette  go  to  the 
Asylum,  to  learn  to  read  and  write?  Will 
you,  father?  Say,  please;  will  you?" 

"  How  shall  we  get  the  little  girl,  clear 
off  in  the  woods,  and  bring  her  here,  my 
child?"  he  replied. 

"  Oh,  you  can  go  in  the  carriage,  and 
bring  her  away  yourself,"  said  Bessie 
eagerly. 


BESSIE.  39 

"The  roads  are  so  bad  that  the  poor 
carriage  would  be  all  racked  to  pieces 
before  I  was  half  way  there,"  said  Mr. 
Haviland,  still  smiling. 

"0  father,  you  are  just  teasing  me. 
You  know  you  could  get  a  strong  wagon, 
and  go  in  it,  if  you  pleased,"  said  Bessie, 
a  little  pettishly. 

"  What  do  you  say  to  Bessie's  plan, 
wife?"  said  Mr.  Haviland,  turning  tow 
ards  his  lady. 

Mrs.  Haviland  was  one  of  those  easy, 
good-natured  people  for  whom  it  is  al 
ways  more  natural  to  say  "Yes,"  than 
"No;"  and  now  she  looked  up  pleas 
antly,  and  only  answered, 

"  Do  as  you  please,  Mr.  Haviland." 

"I  confess  I  take  an  uncommon  inter 
est  in  the  child,"  continued  the  husband. 
"I  rather  like  Bessie's  plan." 

"0  father,"  exclaimed  Bessie,  clap 
ping  her  hands,  "  you  will ;  you  will !" 


40          THE  WOODMAN'S  NANNETTE. 

CHAPTER  Y. 

A  YOUNG  TRAVELLER. 

A  FEW  weeks  after  the  occurrences 
related  in  our  last  chapter,  Mr.  Havi- 
land  was  once  more  on  the  road  to  Ben 
Kuhn's  cottage.  No  letter  had  preced 
ed  him,  to  tell  of  his  coming.  Mr.  Hav- 
iland  doubted  whether  the  humble  peo 
ple  ever  thought  enough  of  receiving 
letters,  to  go  to  the  post-office  twenty 
miles  distant  for  them ;  nor  was  he  sure 
they  could  read  such  a  document  if  it 
should  fall  into  their  hands.  So  it 
chanced  that  he  was  an  unlooked-for 
guest  when  he  appeared  at  Ben  Kuhn's 
door. 

The  visitor  was  fortunate  enough  to 
find  all  the  family  at  home.  Frankly  and 
promptly  he  stated  his  errand,  clearly 


A  YOUNG  TRAVELLER.  41 

explaining  the  advantages  that  would 
result  to  Nannette  from  the  course  he 
proposed. 

The  honest  couple  listened  in  wonder 
ing  silence.  Ben  was  the  first  to  reply. 

"  She  ought  to  go,  sir.  I  see  it  plain 
ly.  Kitty,  we  must  part  with  the  child.77 

Kitty7s  face  was  suddenly  muffled  in 
her  apron,  and  her  tears  fell  fast.  Nan- 
nette  sprang  to  her  side,  and  throwing 
her  arms  round  her  neck,  strove  by  kind 
caresses  to  comfort  her. 

"You  are  but  a  child  yourself,  Kitty, 
or  you  would  n7t  take  on  so/7  said  Ben 
bluntly.  "  There  7s  many  a  mother  has 
to  see  her  lassie  put  out  to  service  youn 
ger  than  our  Nannette.  We  ought  n7t  to 
stand  in  the  child 7s  way.77 

Kitty's  arm  was  tight  about  Nan 
nette.  How  could  she  spare  her  ?  Im 
possible  !  Then  came  a  whisper  at  the 
mothers  heart :  "  If  Nannette  could  learn 


42          THE  WOODMAN'S  NANNETTE. 

to  talk  and  read,  what  should  keep  her 
from  the  knowledge  of  God,  of  whom 
she  could  have  as  yet  but  a  dim  idea? 
"Was  not  this  an  answer  to  the  prayers 
that  had  been  daily  offered,  that  Christ, 
the  friend  of  the  unfortunate,  would 
teach  this  poor  afflicted  child  to  know 
and  love  him  ?" 

Kitty's  resolution  was  taken  at  once. 
"You  are  right,  Ben,"  she  said;  "we 
ought  not  to  keep  our  child  from  a  way 
of  learning  to  read  the  word  of  God, 
and  of  praying  to  him  straight  out  of 
her  heart.  She  must  go." 

Kitty  at  once  busied  herself  in  collect 
ing  together  Nannette's  scanty  wardrobe, 
and  in  making  her  tidy  for  the  journey. 

When  the  child  was  equipped  in  her 
calico  dress  and  sun-bonnet,  she  made 
signs  for  her  mother  to  get  ready  too. 
Kitty  shook  her  head,  and  could  not 
keep  the  tears  from  her  eyes.  Ben  kiss- 


A  YOUNG  TRAVELLER.  43 

ed  his  little  daughter,  and  motioned  to 
her  to  take  the  empty  seat  in  the  wagon 
beside  Mr.  Haviland. 

But  for  Nannette's  years  of  trained 
obedience,  there  would  have  been  now 
an  open  rebellion.  She  hesitated,  and 
stood  still.  Ben  took  her  gently  by  the 
arm,  and  Kitty  tenderly  assisted  her  on 
the  other  side.  They  both  looked  full 
of  love  to  her,  she  could  read  that  in 
their  countenances ;  but  as  plainly  could 
she  understand  their  command  to  her  to 
leave  them. 

The  docile  spirit  triumphed,  and  Nan- 
nette  allowed  herself  to  be  placed  beside 
Mr.  Haviland.  Her  face  was  very  sor 
rowful,  and  a  strange  moan  of  distress 
escaped  her. 

There  was  an  angry  bark  from  the 
small  wood-room  of  the  cottage,  and  a 
fierce  scratching  at  the  tightly  fastened 
door.  Nannette's  head  dropped  upon 


44          THE  WOODMAN'S  NANNETTE. 

her  hands,  and  the  wheels  rolled  rapidly 
away.  A  long,  long  howl  went  up  from 
the  imprisoned  Bounce.  It  was  well  for 
Nannette  that  she  could  not  hear  her 
playfellow's  sad  farewell. 

"  It's  all  right,  Kitty,"  said  Ben,  as  he 
went  off  to  the  woods. 

Ah,  Ben  could  not  fully  know  what 
Kitty  must  suffer  in  so  parting  with  her 
child. 

Happy  was  it  for  the  mother  that  she 
knew  where  to  go  in  her  trouble.  There 
was  an  Eye  that  could  watch  Nannette 
by  the  wayside  and  in  her  new  home. 
There  was  a  Hand  that  could  protect 
her  from  every  danger.  Very  earnestly 
Kitty  prayed  to  this  almighty  Protector, 
and  by  degrees  peace  stole  over  her 
soul. 


THE  ASYLUM.  45 


CHAPTER  VI. 

THE  ASYLUM. 

NANNETTE  was  but  a  child,  and  the 
griefs  of  youth  are  easily  soothed.  The 
motion  of  the  wagon  was  pleasant  to  her, 
the  day  was  bright,  and  the  woods  were 
full  of  living  creatures  to  be  startled  by 
the  approach  of  the  travellers.  Before 
long,  Mr.  Haviland  found  his  companion 
jogging  him  to  look  at  the  squirrels  hop 
ping  among  the  branches,  or  the  wood 
peckers  shaking  their  busy  heads  on  the 
tall  bare  trunks. 

Mr.  Haviland  had  provided  himself 
with  a  powerful  argument  in  his  favor, 
in  the  shape  of  a  certain  three-cornered 
paper  bag,  containing  nuts  and  candies ; 
and  then  too  there  was  the  luncheon-bas- 


46    THE  WOODMAN'S  NANNETTE. 

ket  under  the  seat,  a  great  pacifier  in  its 
way. 

So  it  happened  that  before  the  spires 
of  the  distant  city  were  to  be  seen,  glow 
ing  with  the  brightness  of  the  setting  sun, 
Nannette  had  learned  to  look  upon  her 
companion  as  a  friend. 

In  front  of  a  large  frame-building  Mr. 
Haviland  stopped,  and  taking  Nannette 
by  the  hand,  he  ascended  the  broad  steps. 
Full  of  wonder  and  admiration  she  look 
ed  about  her  as  they  were  ushered  into 
a  parlor  and  welcomed  by  a  gentleman 
of  a  calm  and  kindly  countenance.  After 
a  short  conversation  with  the  stranger, 
Mr.  Haviland  took  his  hat  and  put  out 
his  hand  to  say  good-by  to  Nannette. 

Her  own  bonnet  had  been  laid  aside, 
and  at  once  she  understood  that  Mr.  Hav 
iland  was  to  leave  her.  With  a  sudden 
scream  she  clung  to  him.  It  was  by 
force  alone  that  Nannette  was  borne 


THE  ASYLUM.  41 

away,  and  Mr.  Haviland  was  left  at  lib 
erty  to  seek  his  own  home. 

Finding  resistance  useless,  Nannette 
allowed  herself  to  be  led  up  a  long  flight 
of  stairs,  and  still  another,  until  she 
reached  a  large  room,  where  a  number 
of  young  girls  were  busy  making  a  hasty 
toilet  before  going  to  supper.  On  each 
side  of  the  room  were  rows  of  small 
white-covered  beds,  each  having  its  own 
wash-stand  and  dressing  apparatus  be 
side  it. 

Nannette  watched  her  new  compan 
ions  closely.  Not  a  lip  was  stirring, 
though  by  their  animated  gestures  it  was 
plain  they  were  communicating  with  each 
other. 

She  was  perfectly  quiet  for  a  few  min 
utes,  and  then  a  cry  of  joy  burst  from 
her ;  and  breaking  away  from  her  guide, 
she  threw  her  arms  around  the  nearest 
of  the  young  girls,  and  vainly  strove  to 


48    THE  WOODMAN'S  NANNETTB. 

express  her  pleasure  at  the  truth  she  had 
guessed. 

These  busy,  happy-looking  girls  were 
deaf  and  dumb,  like  herself.  This  was 
a  thought  full  of  comfort  to  poor  Nan- 
nette. 


BESSIE'S  PETITION.  49 

CHAPTEE  VII. 

BESSIE'S  PETITION. 

WE  pass  over  Nannette's  first  few  days 
at  her  new  home.  It  was  a  joy  to  the 
child  to  associate  with  young  people  of 
her  own  age,  and  there  was  a  strange 
pleasure  to  her  in  the  knowledge  that 
her  companions  were  mutes  like  herself. 
Their  expressive  gestures  she  easily  un 
derstood,  and  already  she  was  coming 
on  rapidly  in  the  language  of  natural 
signs,  but  as  yet  of  other  signs  she  knew 
nothing.  To  letters,  spelling,  and  books 
she  had  not  yet  been  introduced. 

Night  and  morning  ISTannett^  knelt  as 
she  had  been  taught,  and  reverently  fold 
ed  her  hands.  This  was  for  her  but  an 
act  of  obedience  to  her  earthly  parent ; 
her  great  Father  in  heaven  was  still  to 


50    THE  WOODMAN'S  NANNETTE. 

her  a  stranger.  Yet  who  can  doubt  that 
he  looked  lovingly  down  on  the  dutiful 
child,  and  gave  her  the  blessing  she  was 
unconsciously  asking  ? 

Nannette  had  borne  up  bravely  for 
three  days  and  nights,  though  often  a 
yearning  to  see  her  distant  mother  was 
thrilling  at  her  heart.  The  fourth  day 
had  come,  and  for  some  unknown  reason 
Nannette 's  courage  seemed  suddenly  to 
give  way.  The  faces  around  her  all 
looked  strange  to  her ;  the  rows  of  white 
beds  were  desolate  in  her  eyes,  and  she 
longed  for  the  red  calico  stars  of  the 
counterpane  at  home ;  she  wanted  to  see 
the  inside  of  her  mother's  cottage,  and 
to  feel  that  mother's  arms  about  her. 

Breakfast  was  over,  and  Nannette  had 
crept  up  to  the  dormitory  or  sleeping 
room  alone.  The  tears  she  had  stemmed 
back  while  in  company  now  burst  forth, 
and  she  sobbed  aloud.  There  was  no 


BESSIE'S  PETITION.  51 

one  near  to  comfort  her ;  she  was  almost 
in  despair.  Suddenly  she  remembered 
what  she  had  seen  her  mother  do  when 
in  trouble,  and  how  she  had  observed 
her  face  calmed  by  such  a  resource.  It 
was  but  imitation,  a  forlorn  hope,  when 
Nannette  fell  on  her  knees  and  hid  her 
weeping  face  in  her  own  little  bed. 

So  she  sobbed  her  grief  away,  and  was 
already  drying  her  tears,  when  a  friend 
ly  hand  was  laid  on  her  shoulder. 

One  of  the  teachers  of  the  institution 
had  sought  for  the  young  stranger,  and 
had  traced  her  to  her  retreat,  and  now 
she  signified  to  her  that  she  must  put  on 
her  bonnet  and  make  ready  for  a  walk. 
The  bonnet  that  was  prepared  for  her 
was  simple,  a  neat  straw  "  shaker ;"  but 
to  Nannette  it  was  extremely  pretty,  and 
with  childish  pleasure  she  put  it  on,  quite 
forgetful  of  her  swollen  face  and  tear- 
marked  eyes. 


52    THE  WOODMAN'S  NANNETTE. 

Two  by  two  walked  out  the  pupils  of 
the  asylum,  and  Nannette  in  the  midst 
of  the  throng,  curiously  interested  in  all 
she  saw. 

But  in  the  midst  of  her  enjoyment, 
passengers,  carriages,  and  even  shop- 
windows  were  suddenly  forgotten  by 
our  little  friend.  An  object  on  the  op 
posite  side  of  the  street  had  attracted 
her  attention.  She  struggled  to  get  free 
from  the  hand  of  the  teacher  who  was 
at  her  side.  Her  efforts  and  the  commo 
tion  thus  excited  answered  her  pur 
pose. 

The  large  spotted  dog  which  was  stray 
ing  along,  carefully  looking  at  every  per 
son  he  met,  made  a  few  sudden  bounds, 
which  brought  him  to  Nannette. 

What  a  meeting  that  was!  The  joy 
of  poor  Bounce  hardly  knew  how  to 
express  itself.  The  creature  seemed  ab 
solutely  wild  with  delight,  while  Nan- 


BESSIE'S  PETITION.  53 

nette's  gestures  and  caresses  were  almost 
as  strange  and  violent. 

The  rest  of  the  party  might  go  on  in 
pairs,  but  it  was  plain  that  Bounce  had 
determined  that  three  should  walk  to 
gether  in  the  place  where  Nannette  was, 
and  the  third  party  should  be  himself. 

Nannette's  heart  was  brimful  of  joy, 
and  very  lightly  she  moved  along  the 
paved  street,  skipping  as  cheerily  as  if 
she  was  in  the  woods  near  her  father's 
cottage. 

The  walk  was  over  all  too  soon,  and 
to  Nannette's  horror  her  dear  companion 
was  forbidden  to  enter  the  house  which 
was  now  her  home.  In  vain  she  pleaded 
in  expressive  signs  with  the  teacher  who 
had  the  charge  of  her.  The  idea  of 
admitting  a  dog  into  the  institution  seem 
ed  to  be  considered  monstrous  and  un 
heard  of. 

Bounce  had  not  come   so  far  to  be 


54    THE  WOODMAN'S  NANNETTE. 

easily  discomfited.  Through  a  crack  in 
his  prison-house  his  watchful  eye  had 
seen  his  mistress  borne  away  by  Mr. 
Haviland ;  and  no  sooner  was  he  releas 
ed  at  evening  than  he  set  off  to  follow 
her,  guided  by  his  unerring  scent.  Mr. 
Haviland's  horse  he  found  no  difficulty 
in  tracing  along  the  road,  even  in  the 
darkness  of  night ;  but  as  morning  dawn 
ed,  he  lost  all  signs  of  his  footsteps  among 
the  trodden  ways  of  the  city.  Three 
days  Bounce  had  wandered  about  seek 
ing  his  treasure ;  now,  when  he  was  wan 
and  weary,  he  had  found  her,  and  he 
would  not  forsake  her.  He  would  guard 
the  house  that  held  her,  though  he  might 
not  lie  at  her  side  and  look  kindly  up 
into  her  face. 

Nannette  had  a  sorrowful  morning 
indeed,  and  the  lady  who  attempted  to 
teach  her  some  of  the  finger  signs  had  a 
most  inattentive  pupil. 


BESSIE'S  PETITION.  55 

From  the  school-room  Nannette  went 
to  the  dinner-table,  not  to  eat,  but  to 
store  in  her  apron  the  meat  that  was  put 
on  her  plate.  She  little  doubted  that 
she  should  find  Bounce  waiting  outside 
the  barred  gate.  She  knew  he  would 
not  leave  her. 

Yes,  there  was  faithful  Bounce  lying 
on  the  sidewalk,  and  looking  wistfully 
down  the  path  along  which  his  mistress 
had  disappeared.  At  the  sight  of  her, 
his  satisfaction  broke  forth  in  a  joyous 
bark.  The  poor  fellow  was  hungry,  that 
was  plain  enough.  How  he  did  relish 
the  morsels  with  which  Nannette  fed 
him  through  the  bars !  How  she  longed 
to  open  the  gate  and  let  him  in,  just  for 
one  moment. 

Nannette  had  been  trained  to  obedi 
ence,  and  she  would  not  now  disobey, 
though  the  temptation  was  strong.  No, 
she  would  stroke  poor  Bounce  as  best 


56    THE  WOODMAN'S  NANNETTE. 

she  could,  and  pat  him  so  lovingly ;  he 
should  feel  that  she  at  least  would  be 
glad  to  give  him  a  welcome  into  her  new 
home. 

There  were  two  parties  watching  this 
little  scene,  though  Nannette  thought  she 
was  quite  unobserved. 

The  Principal  of  the  institution  was 
looking  at  Nannette  from  the  window  of 
his  study,  and  his  heart  yearned  towards 
the  poor  young  stranger  who  was  so 
willingly  giving  her  own  dinner  to  her 
humble  friend. 

On  the  steps  of  the  asylum  too  stood 
a  gentleman  and  his  daughter;  and  as 
they  waited  for  the  bell  to  be  answered, 
they  had  a  sight  of  what  was  going  on  at 
the  gate. 

"  It  is  Bounce,  the  very  dog  I  wanted 
for  you,  Bessie/7  exclaimed  Mr.  Havi- 
land ;  "  and  that  is  Nannette  herself  who 
is  feeding  him." 


BESSIE'S  PETITION.  57 

" Is  she  really  deaf  and  dumb?"  said 
Bessie,  as  the  tears  rushed  to  her  eyes. 
Nannette  did  look  very  sweetly,  as  with 
her  sun-bonnet  thrown  back  she  leaned 
forward  to  pat  her  favorite,  and  to  smile 
on  him  what  she  would  have  wished  to 
say.  Could  it  be  that  she  was  deaf  and 
dumb  ? 

A  servant  opened  the  door,  and  Mr. 
Haviland  made  haste  to  say,  "I  think 
that  is  the  little  girl  we  wish  to  see," 
pointing  at  the  same  time  to  Nan- 
nette. 

"Poor  child!"  exclaimed  the  Irish 
girl  compassionately,  " she's  about  wild 
afther  the  dog.  I  make  no  doubt  he  's 
been  afther  following  her  from  distant 
parts.  The  cratur  is  worn  down;  but 
you  couldn't  get  him  away  from  that 
gate  if  you  was  to  offer  him  a  leg  of 
mutton ;  nor  she  wont  let  him  in  neither 
on  the  sly.  I  never  saw  the  beat  of  her. 


58     THE  WOODMAN'S  NANNETTE. 

She  ought  to  have  him,  the  poor  little 
lone  thing." 

"  Indeed  she  ought,"  said  Bessie  quick 
ly.  Mr.  Haviland  was  shown  into  the 
parlor,  and  the  Principal  soon  came  to 
give  him  a  greeting.  Nannette  was  sent 
for,  and  most  unwillingly  she  turned 
from  Bounce ;  yet  she  obeyed  the  sum 
mons. 

It  seemed  to  Nannette  like  meeting 
an  old  friend  to  see  Mr.  Haviland  among 
those  strange  faces.  He  knew  her  moth 
er  ;  he  had  been  at  her  home.  Perhaps 
he  could  help  her  about  Bounce.  With 
a  sudden  impulse  Nannette  began  to 
caper  about,  to  imitate  the  dog  in  her 
best  style;  and  then  followed  such  a 
pleading  look  and  such  a  winning  ear 
nestness,  as  she  took  Mr.  Haviland's 
hand,  that  she  could  not  be  misunder 
stood. 

Mr.    Haviland    smiled   affectionately 


BESSIE'S  PETITION.  59 

upon  the  child,  and  nodded  his  head, 
meaning  that  he  would  do  all  he  could 
for  her ;  and  then  he  drew  her  attention 
to  his  daughter. 

Bessie's  eager  eyes  were  full  of  inter 
est  ;  she  did  not  look  like  the  spoiled 
child  of  luxury,  as  she  gave  both  her 
hands  to  poor  Nannette. 

"Here  is  a  doll  I  brought  for  you; 
you  may  have  it  for  your  own/7  said  Bes 
sie,  talking  in  her  rapid  way,  and  then 
blushing  as  she  remembered  that  Nan 
nette  could  not  hear. 

Nannette's  "ears  were  closed,  but  her 
eyes  were  open,  and  she  understood  the 
look  and  gesture,  and  smiled  and  courte- 
sied  her  thanks,  as  her  mother  had  taught 
her. 

Ah,  Kitty  Kuhn  had  laid  well  the 
foundation  of  Christian  education  when 
she  had  trained  Nannette  to  such  loving, 
faithful  obedience. 


60     THE  WOODMAN'S  NANNETTE. 

"Please,  sir,  mayn't  Nannette  have 
her  dog  here  with  her?"  said  Bessie, 
suddenly  turning  to  the  Principal. 

"The  poor  creature  has  no  doubt  fol 
lowed  her  all  the  way  from  her  home, 
though  they  locked  him  up  when  we 
started.  He's  a  noble  dog,"  said  Mr. 
Haviland. 

"We  never  let  our  pupils  bring  pets 
with  them,"  said  the  Principal  doubtfully. 

"  ISTannette  is  so  little,  to  be  away  from 
home.  Look,  she  is  only  as  tall  as  I  am, 
and  all  alone  here,  and  deaf  and  dumb 
too,"  pleaded  Bessie,  who  was  afraid  of 
no  one  when  she  had  a  purpose  to  gain. 

Nannette  gazed  at  her  eagerly.  Could 
it  be  that  the  little  stranger  was  urging 
the  petition  she  had  most  at  heart  ? 

Mr.  Haviland  in  a  few  words  told  all 
he  knew  of  the  dog ;  and  declared  it  his 
opinion,  that  in  the  institution  Bounce 
would  prove  a  valuable  guard,  not  to 


BESSIE'S  PETITION.  61 

speak  of  the  innocent  pleasure  that  would 
be  afforded  to  the  child.  The  Principal 
listened  to  the  pleadings  of  his  own 
heart,  when  thus  seconded  from  without. 

"Miss  Haviland,"  he  said,  "I  think 
Nannette  deserves  this  reward  for  her 
obedience.  I  watched  her,  and  when 
she  need  but  have  touched  the  latch  of 
the  gate  for  a  moment  to  have  had  her 
pet  by  her  side,  she  resisted  the  tempta 
tion.  She  is  a  good,  faithful  child,  and 
shames  many  a  more  favored  little  one." 

Bessie's  conscience  smote  her  quickly ; 
she  feared  under  such  circumstances  she 
should  have  behaved  less  worthily  than 
the  mute.  Such  thoughts  were  not  wel 
come,  and  she  turned  quickly  from  them 
to  the  more  agreeable  subject. 

"She  may  have  him  !  You  give  your 
consent,  sir !"  she  exclaimed. 

"  I  do  most  heartily,"  said  the  Princi 
pal. 


62          THE  WOODMAN'S  NANNETTE. 

"May  I  tell  her?  Do  let  me,"  said 
Bessie  eagerly. 

"If  you  can!"  was  the  Principal's 
smiling  answer. 

Bessie  took  Nannette  by  the  hand, 
while  Mr.  Haviland  and  the  Principal 
followed.  Bessie  was  out  the  street  door 
in  a  moment,  and  soon  she  stood  on  the 
sidewalk  with  Nannette  and  the  faithful 
Bounce.  Bessie  put  Nannette's  hand  in 
the  dog's  collar,  then  opening  wide  the 
gate,  she  entered,  and  beckoned  to  Nan- 
nette  to  follow. 

Nannette  gave  a  quick  look  of  inquiry 
towards  the  gentleman  whom  she  already 
understood  to  be  a  sort  of  a  king  on 
those  premises.  The  Principal  bowed 
his  consent,  and  Nannette,  overjoyed, 
led  Bounce  within  the  enclosure,  and 
then  released  her  hand  from  his  collar. 

Bounce  seemed  to  feel  the  importance 
of  the  occasion,  for  he  forthwith  proceed- 


BESSIE'S  PETITION.  63 

ed  to  show  off  his  tricks,  as  if  to  prove 
how  valuable  an  addition  he  was  to  be 
to  the  family.  He  picked  up  Mr.  Havi- 
land's  pocket  handkerchief  for  him,  and 
brought  it  to  him  at  once.  He  stood  on 
his  hind  legs  and  pretended  to  be  asleep, 
until  at  last  he  nodded  and  fell  over. 
He  tossed  up  a  stick  in  the  air,  and 
caught  it  in  his  mouth  six  times  in  suc 
cession,  while  Nannette  looked  on  with 
an  innocent  glee  that  was  truly  conta 
gious. 

That  was  a  happy  little  scene,  and  it 
had  many  sympathizing  spectators  from 
the  windows  above. 

When  the  first  burst  of  joy  was  over, 
Nannette  tried  to  express  her  grateful 
thanks  for  the  privilege  granted  her,  and 
to  Bessie  particularly  her  heart  seemed 
overflowing  with  love. 

Bessie  had  been  accustomed  to  kind 
and  flattering  attentions  all  her  life ;  but 


64    THE  WOODMAN'S  NANNETTE. 

there  was  something  particularly  gratify 
ing  to  her  in  Nannette's  affectionate  looks 
and  gestures.  A  strong  bond  was  form 
ing  between  them,  a  new  pleasure  was 
being  opened  for  Mr.  Haviland's  petted 
child.  For  the  first  time  Bessie  was  tast 
ing  the  happiness  of  ministering  to  the 
unfortunate. 

When  we  take  the  first  right  step, 
however  tremblingly  and  in  the  dark, 
we  know  not  what  bright  pathway  may 
open  before  us.  Who  can  tell  the  bless 
ing  that  may  follow  one  effort  for  the 
sorrowful  children  of  earth,  who  are  the 
Saviour's  peculiar  care  ? 

It  was  with  real  regret  that  Nannette 
parted  with  her  new  friend ;  but  Bounce 
was  still  at  her  side,  and  a  gambol  with 
her  dear  old  companion  that  afternoon 
made  her  almost  forget  that  she  was  far 
away  from  her  own  home. 


THE  VISIT.  65 

CHAPTER  VIII. 

THE  VISIT. 

A  COMFORTABLE  carriage  had  stopped 
at  the  door  of  the  Deaf  and  Dumb  Asy 
lum,  and  a  note  had  been  handed  by  the 
coachman  to  the  Principal  of  the  insti 
tution. 

Soon  Nannette  had  been  neatly  dress 
ed,  and  was  led  out  to  the  carriage.  The 
Principal  signified  to  her  that  he  wished 
her  to  get  in,  and  yet  it  was  plain  that 
he  was  not  prepared  to  follow  her. 

IsTannette  looked  up  in  his  face.  It 
was  kind  and  gentle.  She  knew  she 
could  trust  him. 

With  no  further  hesitation  she  entered 
the  carriage,  the  door  was  closed,  and 
she  was  driven  away,  she  knew  not 
whither. 


66          THE  "WOODMAN'S  NANNETTE. 

Nannette  was  daily  learning  lessons 
of  love,  trust,  and  obedience.  God  had 
placed  her  in  a  school  where  she  could 
develop  the  virtues  that  are  dearest  to 
him. 

No  fears  distressed  the  little  girl  as 
she  was  borne  rapidly  along  the  wide 
streets ;  the  Principal's  parting  look  was 
in  her  memory,  and  her  confidence  was 
unshaken. 

Before  a  pleasant  mansion  the  carriage 
stopped.  Bright  young  eyes  were  on  the 
look-out  for  the  visitor,  and  a  glad  young 
friend  was  ready  to  bid  her  welcome. 

Nannette  was  overjoyed  when  she  saw 
Bessie's  beaming  countenance,  and  most 
willingly  she  allowed  herself  to  be  led 
into  the  house.  It  was  easy  for  her  to 
understand  that  the  tall  lady  in  the  glis 
tening  silk  dress  was  Bessie's  mother. 
There  were  the  same  smooth  round 
cheeks,  the  same  broad  forehead  and 


THE  VISIT.  6t 

prettily  cut  chin,  that  marked  the  only 
daughter.  Yet  there  was  more  warmth 
in  Bessie's  face;  she  had  something  of 
her  father's  hasty  spirit  to  contend  with, 
and  an  energy  of  character  that  often 
made  her  more  than  a  match  for  her 
calm  and  ease-loving  mother. 

Mrs.  Haviland  moved  across  the  room, 
her  dress  sweeping  the  floor,  and  her 
head  held  high,  with  a  dignity  that  would 
have  seemed  like  pride,  but  for  the  lan 
guor  that  pervaded  her  whole  person. 
Yet  her  welcome  to  the  poor  little  mute 
was  kind,  though  short.  It  was  but  a 
smile  and  a  shake  of  the  hand,  and  then 
she  motioned  the  little  girls  away,  while 
she  prepared  to  receive  some  visitors 
who  were  at  the  door. 

To  JSTannette,  Mrs.  Haviland  seemed  a 
vision  of  elegance  and  beauty ;  the  sim 
ple  child  had  yet  to  learn  that  the  fairest 
forms  do  not  always  hide  the  purest 


68          THE  WOODMAN'S  NANNETTE. 

hearts,  nor  the  most  luxurious  homes  the 
most  grateful  inmates. 

Bessie  led  Nannette  up  stairs ;  but 
hardly  had  the  guest  laid  aside  her  bon 
net  and  shawl,  when  the  young  hostess 
darted  away  to  question  the  servant  as 
to  the  strangers  whom  her  mother  had 
just  received. 

"A  gentleman  and  lady,  miss;  a  tall 
gentleman — Mr.  Fearing,  I  think  your 
mamma  called  him,"  was  the  waiter's 
reply. 

"I  must  go  down ;  I  want  to  see  them," 
said  Bessie;  and  hastily  arranging  her 
hair,  she  hurried  down  stairs,  leaving 
Nannette  alone.  Nannette  looked  about 
her.  She  needed  no  entertainer ;  it  was 
enough  for  her  to  observe  each  article  of 
furniture,  to  examine  the  fine  engravings 
on  the  walls,  and  the  beautiful  adorn 
ments  of  the  mantelpiece  and  toilet-table. 
Yery  gently  she  walked  round  the  room, 


THE  VISIT.  69 

not  once  laying  a  meddlesome  finger  on 
what  she  so  much  admired.  She  too  well 
remembered  her  mother's  timely  punish 
ment  of  such  naughty  ways  to  indulge  in 
them  now. 

Nannette  was  in  a  most  happy  mood 
when  Bessie  came  slowly,  very  slowly 
up  stairs. 

Nannette  ran  to  meet  her,  to  try  by 
her  poor  signs  to  show  the  pleasure  she 
was  enjoying;  but  one  look  at  Bessie's 
face  put  all  such  thoughts  out  of  her 
mind.  A  wonderful  transformation  had 
been  wrought  there  during  the  few  mo 
ments  of  her  absence.  Her  cheeks  were 
flushed  and  her  eyes  were  full  of  tears, 
while  there  was  a  look  of  determined 
rebellion  in  every  cross  wrinkle  that 
marred  her  features. 

Nannette  stood  still  for  a  moment,  as 
if  doubtful  what  to  do. 

"Mother  would  not  let  me  stay.    It  is 


10    THE  WOODMAN'S  NANNETTE. 

a  shame, "  said  Bessie,  giving  vent  to  her 
ill-humor  in  words,  though  she  was  well 
aware  that  her  companion  could  not  hear 
them.  "  I  won-t  be  treated  so ;"  and  her 
small  foot  stamped  passionately  as  she 
spoke. 

Nannette  knew  very  well  what  it  was 
to  be  tormented  with  sudden  anger,  and 
she  as  well  remembered  how  her  mother 
had  dealt  with  her  on  such  occasions. 
It  suddenly  struck  her  to  try  the  same 
experiment  with  Bessie.  Taking  her 
quickly  by  the  hand,  she  led  her  to  the 
bedside.  Bessie  obeyed  out  of  curiosity. 
Nannette  knelt  down,  and  motioning  to 
Bessie  to  hide  her  face,  the  poor  mute 
folded  her  hands,  and  looked  up  with 
the  air  of  deep  supplication  which  she 
had  so  often  seen  on  her  mother's  ear 
nest  features. 

Bessie  was  awed  and  touched.  Like 
lightning  passed  the  thought  through  her 


THE  VISIT.  71 

mind,  "I  am  not  fit  to  speak  to  God, 
feeling  as  I  do."  A  new  wish  to  be  bet 
ter  took  the  place  of  her  momentary  an 
ger  ;  and  when  Nannette  motioned  to  her 
to  rise,  she  was  ready  to  receive  the  lov 
ing  kiss  which  Nannette  bestowed  upon 
her,  in  exact  imitation  of  Kitty's  own 
manner. 

Bessie  felt  drawn  anew  towards  Nan- 
nette,  and  that  first  visit  was  long  re 
membered  by  them  both.  To  Nannette 
it  was  a  true  holiday. 

Bessie's  anger  was  as  short-lived  as 
it  was  sudden,  and  her  companion  soon 
forgot  the  painful  scene  in  the  enjoy 
ment  that  followed.  Dolls  and  play 
things,  picture-books  and  working  im 
plements  were  shown  in  turn;  and  so 
hearty  was  Nannette's  pleasure  and  ad 
miration,  that  it  was  joy  enough  for  Bes 
sie  to  watch  her  changing  expressions 
and  amusing  gestures. 


72    THE  WOODMAN'S  NANNETTE. 

The  carriage  was  an  unwelcome  sight 
to  both  of  the  children  when  it  came  to 
bear  Nannette  back  to  the  Asylum ;  but 
she  had  a  submissive  spirit,  and  the  day 
closed  for  her  with  but  little  shadow  over 
its  sunshine. 


SEEING  WONDERS.  13 

CHAPTER  IX. 

SEEING  WONDERS. 

AGAIN  and  again  Nannette  watched 
the  carriages  that  stopped  at  the  Asy 
lum  ;  again  and  again  her  heart  was  full 
of  hope,  when  she  was  suddenly  sum 
moned  to  the  parlor.  The  months  went 
by,  yet  Nannette  saw  neither  Mr.  Havi- 
land  nor  Bessie.  New  thoughts  were 
passing  in  a  bright  stream  through  Nan- 
nette's  mind,  and  yet  these  friends  were 
not  forgotten.  They  still  had  a  precious 
place  in  her  memory,  and  on  Bessie  par 
ticularly  she  loved  to  dwell. 

Two  years  had  passed  away  since 
Nannette's  pleasant  visit  to  Bessie  in  her 
home.  Bessie  meanwhile  had  been  lay 
ing  up  subjects  for  conversation  on  which 
her  busy  tongue  would  love  to  dwell  all 


14          THE  WOODMAN'S  NANNETTE. 

the  days  of  her  life.  The  wonders  of 
the  Old  World  had  been  laid  open  to 
her. 

With  her  father,  Bessie  had  stood  on 
the  banks  of  the  river  where  Moses  lay, 
a  hidden  treasure  ;  the  Pyramids  had 
towered  like  mountains  before  her  aston 
ished  eyes ;  in  the  Yale  of  Chamouni  she 
had  watched  with  her  mother  a  ventur 
ous  party  winding  up  the  frozen  sides  of 
awful  Mont  Blanc;  gay  Paris  had  dis 
played  to  her  its  brilliant  charms  and 
scenes  of  historic  interest ;  England  too 
the  travellers  had  explored,  from  the 
chalk  cliffs  of  Dover  even  to  the  banks 
of  the  Tweed. 

Wonderful,  beautiful,  majestic  sights 
had  Bessie  seen :  the  monuments  that 
men  have  raised,  the  pictures  that  gen 
ius  has  painted  ;  the  beautiful  earth,  now 
glittering  with  many  lakes,  now  tower 
ing  in  snow-clad  mountains. 


SEEING  WONDERS.  75 

Well  worth  all  that  weary  journeying 
were  the  scenes  that  the  travellers  had 
stored  in  their  memories ;  yet  Nannette, 
in  her  quiet  life  at  the  Asylum,  had  had 
her  eyes  opened  to  more  wonderful  beau 
ties,  to  more  enduring  pictures  of  loveli 
ness.  Bessie  had  but  looked  on  the 
charms  of  earth ;  Nannette  had  caught 
her  first  glimpse  of  heaven.  The  Bible 
was  no  longer  to  her  a  sealed  book.  She 
too  could  read  of  the  Saviour,  who  made 
the  deaf  to  hear  and  the  dumb  to  speak, 
and  took  the  little  children  in  his  arms 
and  blessed  them.  The  glory  of  that 
heaven  whose  beauty  no  eye  hath  seen, 
was  laid  up  in  store  for  her.  Humbly 
she  had  asked  to  have  her  name  written 
in  the  Lamb's  book  of  life.  She  doubted 
not  the  faithful  Promiser,  but  believed 
that  even  poor  Nannette  would  one  day 
wear  the  white  robes  purchased  by  Christ's 
blood  for  the  true  children  of  God. 


76    THE  WOODMAN'S  NANNETTE. 

It  was  to  Nannette  as  if  a  veil  had 
been  removed  from  her  dear  mother's 
daily  life,  and  now  she  saw  and  knew 
her.  She  understood  the  secret  spring 
which  prompted  that  dear  mother's  every 
act ;  she  knew  the  well  of  waters  whence 
she  drew  her  love  and  cheerfulness. 

It  was  a  happy  time  at  the  cottage 
when  Nannette  made  her  first  visit  home ; 
but  its  chief  joy  was  at  the  moment  when 
the  mother  and  daughter  knelt  side  by 
side  once  more.  To  Nannette  it  seemed 
as  though  the  blessing  of  all  those  ill-un 
derstood  prayers  of  her  childhood  was 
falling  upon  her,  the  blessing  her  mother 
had  so  continually  and  fervently  called 
down  on  her  unconscious  head. 

Now  from  their  hearts,  if  not  from 
their  lips,  their  prayer  and  praise  rose 
together  as  sweet  incense  to  their  Father 
in  heaven. 

Nannette   had  gone   forth  from   her 


SEEING  WONDERS.  7T 

home  at  her  mother's  command,  knowing 
naught  of  the  future,  little  guessing  the 
joys  that  were  to  spring  from  this  pain 
ful  separation. 

She  had  but  the  same  lesson  to  learn 
anew.  She  had  but  to  love  and  trust  her 
heavenly  Father  as  she  had  loved  and 
trusted  her  earthly  parents,  and  all  would 
be  well.  She  needed  but  one  motto  : 
"  This  is  the  will  of  my  Saviour ;  I  must 
do  it."  To  his  love  and  mercy  she  could 
leave  her  future.  She  could  follow  wher 
ever  He  led  her,  even  if  it  were  through 
the  valley  of  the  shadow  of  death,  sure 
that  the  end  would  be  joy  and  peace. 


78    THE  WOODMAN'S  NANNETTE. 


CHAPTER  X. 

REUNION. 

NANNETTE  had  returned  to  the  Asylum 
for  the  remaining  half  year  for  which  Mr. 
Haviland  in  his  generous  care  had  insur 
ed  her  stay. 

She  had  a  pleasant  surprise  one  morn 
ing,  when  the  not  yet  forgotten  carriage 
appeared  at  the  door.  It  was  not  empty 
now ;  Bessie  was  looking  out  eagerly  to 
catch  the  first  glimpse  of  Nannette. 

There  was  a  strange  joy  in  that  meet 
ing.  Each  had  a  reason  for  counting 
the  other  among  the  dearest  of  earthly 
friends,  and  the  most  casual  observer 
could  not  fail  to  notice  the  heartiness  of 
their  greeting. 

Side  by  side  in  the  parlor  of  the  Asy- 


REUNION.  19 

lum  they  sat  for  a  moment  hand  in  hand 
looking  each  other  earnestly  in  the  face. 
There  were  changes  in  both,  other  chang 
es  than  are  wrought  by  time  alone.  The 
Bessie  of  Nannette's  faithful,  loving  mem 
ory  was  now  taller  and  more  womanly, 
but  there  was  a  softened  gentleness  in 
her  look  and  manner  that  was  a  great 
beautifier.  To  Nannette  there  had  come 
an  added  brightness,  a  beaming  glance 
of  joy,  that  was  partly  the  result  of  her 
quickened  mind,  and  partly  of  that  new 
life  and  new  hope  in  Christ  which  were 
now  the  very  springs  of  her  existence. 

Nannette's  ever-ready  slate  was  in  her 
hand ;  she  took  her  pencil  and  wrote  rap- 
idly, 

"I  know  you.  You  are  Miss  Bessie 
Haviland.  I  did  not  forget  you.  You 
did  a  great  deal  for  me.  The  Principal 
told  me  all  about  it.  I  thank  you  very 
much.  I  will  always  love  you.  /  know 


80    THE  WOODMAN'S  NANNETTE. 

about  the  Lord  Jesus.  I  shall  go  to  heaven 
too:j 

Nannette  watched  Bessie's  face  as  she 
read  the  written  words,  and  the  speak 
ing  countenance  of  the  mute  attested  the 
truth  of  the  grateful  affection  she  pro 
fessed.  But  she  looked  in  vain  for  the 
bright  glance  of  joy  which  she  expected 
to  see  when  Bessie  should  read  her  clos 
ing  words. 

"I  shall  go  to  heaven  too,''1  Bessie 
mentally  repeated.  Ah,  Bessie  was  not 
as  sure  of  her  admission  into  the  eternal 
home  as  was  her  silent  companion.  Bes 
sie  had  begun,  it  is  true,  a  sort  of  a  new 
life,  a  life  of  struggle  with  her  faults,  and 
her  efforts  had  not  been  wholly  in  vain ; 
but  as  yet  she  did  not  understand  her 
need  of  a  new  heart,  of  the  Holy  Spirit's 
aid,  of  reliance  on  the  Saviour  alone  for 
deliverance  from  sin.  Heaven  seemed 
to  her  a  dim,  uncertain  place,  which  it 


REUNION.  81 

was  possible  she  should  never  see.  Nan- 
nette's  simple  act  during  her  single  visit 
at  Mr.  Haviland's  had  been  to  Bessie  a 
continual  prompter  and  inspirer  of  better 
things.  Many  a  time,  when  excited  and 
unhappy,  she  had  thrown  herself  upon 
her  knees,  and  the  remembrance  that  she 
was  in  the  presence  of  God  had  calmed 
her  troubled  spirit.  By  degrees  she  went 
further,  and  prayers  for  forgiveness  and 
help  to  do  right  were  tremblingly  utter 
ed  ;  such  prayers  prompted  to  more  ef 
forts,  and  such  efforts  to  more  prayer. 

Thus  Bessie  was  trying  to  do  right, 
but  without  the  cheering  sense  of  for 
giveness,  or  the  blessed  hope  of  the  eter 
nal  home  where  sin  and  sorrow  shall  be 
known  no  more.  Nannette's  confident 
words  and  her  look  of  joy  made  Bessie 
doubly  sensible  of  the  uncertainty  of  her 
own  future,  and  the  little  satisfaction  her 
religion  had  as  yet  been  to  her. 


82    THE  WOODMAN'S  NANNETTE. 

"  What  makes  you  sorry?'7  wrote  Nan- 
nette,  while  Bessie  was  for  a  moment  lost 
in  thought. 

Bessie  was  by  nature  frank,  and  she 
replied  at  once,  "I  am  very  glad  to  see 
you.  I  have  thought  very  often  of  you 
and  the  time  you  made  me  kneel  down 
by  the  bed  when  I  was  angry.  I  try  not 
to  be  angry  now,  but  I  am  not,  like  you, 
sure  I  shall  go  to  heaven." 

"Why  not?"  was  Nannette's  short  re 
ply,  while  her  face  was  full  of  earnest, 
prayerful  interest. 

" I  don't  think  I  am  good  enough.  I 
am  afraid  I  never  can  be,"  was  Bessie's 
answer. 

Nannette  looked  reverently  upward 
for  a  moment,  and  then  quickly  made  in 
her  own  palms  the  sign  of  pierced  hands, 
and  then  stretched  out  her  arms,  as  if 
pinioned  to  a  cross. 

Why  was  it  that  the  simple  gesture  of 


REUNION.  83 

the  mute  brought  home  to  Bessie's,  soul 
the  precious  truth  that  had  hitherto  es 
caped  her ! 

"  He  was  good.  He  suffered  and  died 
for  us.  He  loves  you.  He  loves  me.  We 
will  love  Him.  He  will  take  us  to  heaven." 

Yery  rapidly  Nannette  wrote  these 
words,  and  handed  them  to  her  friend, 
with  a  bright  smile  on  her  face,  which 
seemed  to  say  that  all  difficulties  were 
cleared  away,  and  nothing  but  joy  and 
peace  remained. 

Well  might  Bessie  love  poor  Nannette. 
Of  all  the  gay  friends  who  had  gathered 
about  her  earthly  path,  none  had  spoken 
to  her  of  the  all-sufficient  Saviour ;  it  was 
the  mute  alone  who  had  prompted  her  to 
seek  His  help  to  rule  her  spirit,  and  point 
ed  her  to  the  " pierced  hands,"  which 
had  power  to  wipe  away  her  penitent 
tears  and  lead  her  to  her  reconciled 
heavenly  Father. 


84    THE  WOODMAN'S  NANNETTE. 

Bessie  could  write  no  more  of  her  own 
feelings  that  day ;  she  only  answered  to 
Nannette's  pleading,  "I  will  try  to  re 
member  what  you  say/'  and  then  she 
turned  to  other  things.  She  had  a  pack 
age  of  pretty  gifts  for  Nannette,  proofs 
that  she  had  thought  of  her  where  the 
Swiss  children  carve  their  ingenious  toys, 
or  other  skilful  European  hands  mould 
their  delicate  vases. 

Specimens  of  such  work  Nannette  re 
ceived  with  artless  pleasure,  and  yet  the 
largest  parcel  was  still  unopened.  It 
was  evidently  a  picture;  and  Nannette 
waited  eagerly  as  the  cord  was  untied 
and  the  cover  removed ;  then  Bessie 
turned  it  suddenly  towards  her.  It  need 
ed  no  explanation.  The  room  represent 
ed  was  furnished  with  luxurious  elegance. 
In  it  knelt  two  young  girls.  One  was 
humbly  dressed,  and  evidently  a  stran 
ger  there,  as  her  simple  straw  hat  lay 


REUNION.  85 

near  her  on  the  bed.  The  face  of  the 
other  kneeling  figure  was  hidden  by  the 
hands ;  but  the  dark  eyes  were  evidently 
peering  forth  at  her  companion,  whose 
uplifted  countenance  was  marked  by  deep 
devotion.  It  was  not  a  likeness  of  Nan- 
nette;  the  painter  had  idealized  even 
Bessie's  glowing  description  of  her  friend, 
and  the  mute  seemed  a  fair-haired  angel 
pleading  for  an  erring  sister  of  earth. 

The  flattered  representation  made  no 
impression  on  earnest  Nannette ;  she  took 
the  picture  as  it  really  was,  as  an  evi 
dence  of  Bessie's  continued  remembrance 
of  her,  and  of  the  priceless  teaching  she 
in  her  ignorance  had  given.  As  such  it 
was  very  dear  to  her,  and  she  pressed  it 
to  her  heart,  while  her  eyes  filled  with 
sudden  tears. 

"  I  did  not  know  the  Lord  Jesus  then. 
I  wanted  to  do  for  you  in  my  mother's 
way.  Now  I  know  Him/'  wrote  Nan- 


86     THE  WOODMAN'S  NANNETTB. 

nette.  Words  could  not  convey  her 
sense  of  the  difference  between  the  two 
conditions  as  it  flashed  through  her  mind. 
Happy,  happy  indeed  seemed  to  her  her 
present  lot. 

11 1  shall  try  to  know  Him  too.  You 
must  help  me,"  Bessie  replied;  "I  wish 
I  could  stay  with  you  now,  but  1  must 
go  home  to-day.  To-morrow  I  want  you 
to  come  to  see  me,  and  bring  Bounce  too. 
I  have  talked  about  you  both  to  Mr.  Fear 
ing,  the  gentleman  we  travelled  with,  and 
he  wants  to  see  you,  and  I  want  to  see 
Bounce  myself.  Will  you  come?77 

"I  will  ask,77  was  Nannette7s  reply, 
and  then  she  sprang  away  towards  the 
study  of  the  Principal. 

Nannette,  on  her  return,  needed  no 
slow  pencil  and  slate  to  tell  Bessie  that 
the  desired  permission  was  obtained; 
and  with  the  hope  of  meeting  on  the 
morrow,  the  young  friends  parted. 


A  TIME  OF  NEED.  81 

CHAPTER  XI. 

A  TIME  OF  NEED. 

THE  Asylum  where  Nannette  had  been 
so  kindly  taught  was  a  large  frame  build 
ing,  with  two  wings.  In  the  central  part 
of  the  edifice  were  the  school-rooms,  par 
lors,  and  the  home  of  the  Principal ;  while 
in  the  wings  were  the  kitchens,  dining- 
rooms,  and  dormitories. 

The  "girls7  wing"  was  now  to  Nan- 
nette  as  familiar  as  the  cottage  of  her 
childhood,  and  hallowed  with  even  more 
holy  associations.  It  was  beside  that 
little  white  bed  she  had  learned  to  call 
upon  God,  and  to  draw  nigh  to  him  in 
humble  trust.  Very  earnest  were  her 
evening  prayers  on  the  night  after  her 
interview  with  Bessie,  and  that  dear 
friend  was  placed  by  Nannette  in  the 


88          THE  WOODMAN'S  NANNETTE. 

Saviour's  keeping,  with  a  sure  trust  that 
the  good  work  begun  in  her  would  be 
continued  unto  the  blessed  end. 

Calm  and  peaceful  was  JSTannette's 
sleep,  when  she  was  rudely  awakened 
by  something  pulling  strongly  at  her 
arm.  She  put  out  her  free  hand  to  be 
relieved  by  feeling  Bounce's  rough  coat 
and  the  unfailing  caress  of  his  privileged 
tongue.  Yet  Bounce  seemed  in  no  mood 
for  lingering.  He  pulled  Nannette  so 
roughly  that  she  was  fairly  roused,  and 
opening  her  eyes  she  became  conscious 
that  the  darkness  of  the  apartment  was 
doubled  by  the  dense  smoke  with  which 
it  was  filled.  She  understood  in  a  mo 
ment  the  fearful  truth.  The  building 
was  on  fire,  and  the  faithful  dog  had 
sought  her,  to  warn  her  of  her  danger. 

Springing  up,  she  hastened  not  to  seek 
the  stairway,  but  to  speed  from  bed  to 
bed,  to  rouse  her  sleeping  room-mates, 


A  TIME  OF  NEED.  89 

and  urge  them  to  escape.  Most  unwill 
ingly  Bounce  accompanied  her  on  her 
errand  of  mercy.  The  stairway  was  filled 
with  the  frightened  crowd,  ere  Nannette 
had  completed  her  hasty  round.  Several 
sleepers  yet  remained  to  be  aroused,  and 
already  the  flames  were  casting  a  fearful 
light  into  the  long  apartment. 

In  a  strength  not  her  own  Nannette 
lingered  till  she  had  every  bed  deserted, 
and  then  she  allowed  Bounce  to  draw 
her  towards  the  stairway.  Dizzy  and 
confused  she  stumbled  along  in  the  dense 
smoke,  and  at  length  she  fell  down,  over 
come  and  fainting,  in  a  dark  passage-way 
by  the  stairs. 

A  crowd  had  already  assembled  with 
out,  and  cheers  had  welcomed  the  appear 
ance  of  the  poor  frightened  inmates,  who 
had  barely  escaped  a  sudden  terrible 
death.  At  each  other  looked  the  pupils, 
and  then  anxious  straining  glances  were 


90    THE  WOODMAN'S  NANNETTE. 

directed  towards  the  burning  building. 
One  among  their  number  was  still  miss 
ing  !  Where  was  Nannette  ? 

Mr.  Haviland,  just  roused  from  sleep, 
had  carelessly  asked  a  hurrying  passer 
by,  "  Where's  the  fire?" 

"At  the  Deaf  and  Dumb  Asylum!7' 
was  the  reply. 

A  quick  pang  shot  across  Mr.  Havi- 
land's  heart  as  he  thought  of  the  helpless 
inmates,  and  of  the  dear  mute  who  seem 
ed  so  linked  with  his  darling  Bessie.  The 
wealthy  citizen  was  no  more  to  sleep  that 
night,  leaving  it  to  trained  fire  compa 
nies  to  stay  the  devouring  element.  He 
must  be  on  the  ground  himself,  and  be 
perchance  an  instrument  in  the  escape  of 
some  unfortunate  being. 

"  The  poor  girls  are  all  out,"  said  a 
fireman  in  answer  to  Mr.  Haviland's 
eager  questioning,  as  he  reached  the  fear 
fully  illumined  spot.  But  the  trembling 


A  TIME  OF  NEED.  91 

group  of  girls  were  leaning  forward  with 
straining  eyes,  as  if  to  pierce  through 
the  dense  cloud  of  smoke  pouring  through 
the  doorway.  Mr.  Haviland  looked  has 
tily  around.  The  face  he  sought  was 
not  there.  "  Where  is  Nannette  ?"  burst 
from  his  lips. 

It  was  not  long  before  a  confused 
struggling  figure  was  seen  emerging  from 
the  door-way,  and  a  wild  shout  rose 
from  the  multitude  as  Bounce  came  forth, 
drawing  his  prostrate  mistress  behind 
him.  A  compassionate  group  gathered 
round  Nannette  in  a  moment,  and  Mr. 
Haviland  was  the  first  to  take  her  in  his 
arms. 

The  cool  air  revived  her,  and  she  tried 
to  rise.  Bounce  was  at  her  side.  At 
this  sign  of  returning  life  he  seemed  sat 
isfied,  feebly  licked  her  hand,  and  drop 
ped  to  the  ground.  He  had  spent  his 
last  strength  for  her  he  loved  best. 


92     THE  WOODMAN'S  NANNETTE. 

CHAPTEE  XII. 

A  WELCOME   GUEST. 

A  STRANGER  was  lying  in  Mrs.  Havi- 
land's  spare  bedroom,  a  humble  stran 
ger,  and  yet  for  her  the  whole  house  was 
alive  with  interest.  Nannette  had  sob 
bed  till  she  was  fairly  worn  out,  and 
then  had  fallen  into  a  quiet  sleep. 

Her  first  waking  thought  was  of  the 
playfellow  of  her  childhood,  good,  faith 
ful  Bounce,  and  next  of  her  father  and 
mother.  How  would  those  fond  parents 
have  mourned  if  she  had  perished  in  the 
flames.  Who  would  have  cared  for  them 
in  their  old  age,  if  Nannette  had  been 
taken  away  ?  Ashamed  that  her  grati 
tude  had  been  forgotten  in  her  grief, 
Nannette  hastened  to  lift  up  her  heart  in 
praise  to  her  heavenly  Father,  who  had 


A  WELCOME  GUEST.  93 

saved  her  in  the  midst  of  such  awful 
peril.  Then  most  simply  she  thanked 
him  for  having  given  her  the  noble  ani 
mal  who  had  been  to  her  such  a  faithful 
friend,  when  but  few  could  understand 
her  poor  gestures,  and  her  scanty  pleas 
ures  were  of  the  humblest  sort.  It 
seemed  to  her  a  peculiar  mark  of  the 
loving  care  of  her  Lord,  that  he  should 
have  sent  her  such  a  playfellow  to  make 
glad  her  childhood,  and  at  length  to  save 
her  life. 

While  Nannette  was  thus  engaged,  the 
door  opened  softly,  and  Bessie  glided  in 
as  if  afraid  of  waking  the  sleeper.  It 
was  hard  for  Bessie  to  realize  that  Nan- 
nette  was  totally  deaf. 

It  was  plain  that  Bessie  too  had*  been 
weeping,  and  she  expected  to  find  the 
mute  plunged  in  inconsolable  grief.  She 
was  surprised  therefore  when  Nannette 
looked  cheerfully  in  her  face,  and  put 


94          THE  WOODMAN'S  NANNETTE. 

out  her  hand  towards  her,  as  if  glad  to 
see  her. 

Bessie  had  come  up  stairs  eager  to 
tell  something  to  Nannette ;  but  now  she 
stood  at  her  bedside,  greatly  missing  the 
little  slate  which  had  proved  so  good  a 
medium  of  communication  the  day  be 
fore.  Away  went  Bessie  for  paper  and 
pencil,  and  then,  perched  on  the  bed  by 
Nannette's  side,  she  made  ready  for  the 
talk  she  so  much  wished. 

There  was  nothing  in  her  way  now; 
yet  Bessie  paused,  and  hesitatingly  mov 
ed  the  point  of  her  pencil.  The  bit  of 
news  she  had  meant  as  consolation  might 
now  awaken  new  grief. 

At  length  she  began :  "  Mr.  Fearing 
and  papa  and  mamma  have  all  been  talk 
ing  about  Bounce.  They  think  he  was  a 
splendid  dog ;  and  papa  and  Mr.  Fear 
ing  say  they  will  give  money  to  help 
build  a  new  asylum,  better  than  the  old 


A  WELCOME  GUEST.  95 

one  ;  and  Mr.  Fearing  says  he  will  have 
a  beautiful  marble  statue,  just  like 
Bounce,  to  stand  on  the  front  steps.  I 
know  you  will  like  that." 

ISTannette's  eyes  did  fill  with  tears; 
but  she  answered  simply,  "I  should  like 
that;"  and  then  she  added,  "I  am  glad  I 
did  not  die  in  the  fire,  Miss  Bessie.  I 
want  to  live,  to  take  care  of  my  father 
and  mother." 

"  Did  you  really  think  you  might 
die  ?"  asked  Bessie,  almost  shuddering. 

"I  thought  so,  but  it  did  not  seem 
hard."  Nannette's  pencil  was  quiet  a 
moment,  and  then  she  added,  "I  remem 
bered  how  the  Lord  Jesus  was  in  the 
fire  with  the  'three  children.7  I  think 
he  was  with  me,  Miss  Bessie." 

Bessie  looked  earnestly  at  Nannette. 
Yes,  Bessie  was  sure  that  Nannette  was 
one  of  those  who  have  realized  the  prom 
ise,  "If  any  man  love  me,  he  shall  be 


96     THE  WOODMAN'S  NANNETTE. 

loved  of  my  Father,  and  we  will  come 
unto  him  and  make  our  abode  with  him." 
She  had  no  words  in  which  to  tell  that 
humble,  artless  child  of  God  how  all 
were  praising  the  heroism  with  which 
she  had  perilled  her  own  life  for  the 
safety  of  others.  Bessie  did  not  wish  to 
praise  or  flatter  then ;  she  wanted  to  sit 
at  the  feet  of  her  friend  and  be  taught 
of  Jesus.  She  wanted  to  know  some 
thing  of  the  trust  and  peace  which  were 
as  a  pure  fountain  in  the  soul  of  the 
mute. 


BEN  AT  HOME.  97 


CHAPTER  XII. 

BEN  AT  HOME. 

BEN  KUHN  was  spending  a  day  at 
home,  quite  an  unusual  thing  for  him, 
and  an  unpleasant  variety  he  seemed  to 
think  it.  Ben  was  by  no  means  a  young 
man,  though  he  had  a  young  wife.  The 
honest  laborer  had  seen  much  exposure 
and  much  hard  work,  and  now  he  was 
made  to  realize  that  even  his  sturdy 
bones  could  not  be  always  as  sound  as 
they  had  been.  He  had  fought  against 
the  conviction  as  long  as  he  could,  and 
he  had  fairly  to  own  that  rheumatism 
was  getting  to  be  one  of  his  familiar  ac 
quaintances. 

Kitty  had  learned  to  know  when  Ben 
was  stiff  as  he  came  home  at  evening, 
and  to  save  him  every  unnecessary  step ; 


98    THE  WOODMAN'S  NANNETTE. 

and  Ben  was  now  glad  to  keep  out  of  the 
drizzling  rain  or  the  heavy  night-dews. 

It  was  a  damp  fall  day,  and  every 
gaily-coated  leaf  was  glossy  with  its 
dewy  covering.  Ben  had  passed  a  wake 
ful  night  with  the  dull  grinding  pains 
that  traversed  his  whole  frame,  from  the 
crown  of  his  head  to  the  soles  of  his  feet, 
and  he  did  not  dare  to  venture  out  in  the 
damp  air. 

"I  'm  getting  to  be  an  old  man  early," 
he  said  dolorously  to  Kitty.  "Yes,  I'm 
growing  old,  and  not  a  cent  laid  by  yet. 
I  wonder  who 's  to  take  care  of  me  when 
I  can't  hobble  about  any  more?" 

Kitty  smiled  a  gay  smile  as  she  said, 
"  Who  but  I?" 

"  A  pretty  slim  crutch,  and  likely  to 
break  if  too  much  is  put  on  it,"  answered 
Ben,  with  a  look  half  admiring,  half  de 
sponding. 

Kitty's  slight  figure  and  pale  clear 


BEN  AT  HOME.  99 

complexion  did  not  promise  the  most 
rugged  health,  and  seemed  to  justify 
Ben's  remark.  But  she  quietly  bore  her 
husband's  depreciatory  view  of  her  capa 
bilities,  and  said  pleasantly,  " There's 
Nannette  too;  she's  as  tough  as  oak. 
She  '11  be  coming  home  before  many 
months  are  over.  That's  something  to 
look  forward  to." 

" She's  a  handy  child,  sure  enough, 
and  will  know  just  how  to  wait  on  her 
old  father,  and  to  lift  the  loads  that  are 
too  much  for  Kitty  Kuhn ;  but  there 's  a 
poor  look-out  for  old  age  for  both  of  us, 
Kitty.  Not  a  copper  laid  by,  and  no 
body  to  earn  for  us.  Poor  Nannette ! 
it  a'n't  her  fault.  She  'd  dig  out  her  eyes 
for  us,  if  that  would  do  us  any  good." 

"  Ben,  we  have  never  wanted  for  daily 
bread,"  said  Kitty  seriously,  "and  I 
don't  see  as  we  have  any  thing  to  do 
with  what  is  to  come.  You  are  a  hearty 


100    THE  WOODMAN'S  NANNETTE. 

fellow  yet.  Let  me  see,  this  is  the  first 
day  you  have  been  laid  by  these  two 
months.  We  are  well  enough  off  now, 
with  this  bit  of  a  roof  free  of  rent,  and 
wood  to  cut  whenever  you  choose  to  lay 
your  hand  to  it.  Don't  you  think  we 
might  be  thankful  to-day,  instead  of  fret 
ting  for  what  is  to  be  after  a  while?  We 
might  trust  the  Lord  for  that,  it  seems  to 


me." 


Going  by  sight  was  more  in  accord 
ance  with  Ben's  notions  than  the  more 
difficult  effort  of  faith.  It  had  been  easy 
for  him  to  work  on  cheerfully  while  his 
own  strong  arm  seemed  a  fortune  in  it 
self,  sure  to  bring  in  its  yearly  interest ; 
but  now  his  heart  shrank  as  he  thought 
of  the  uncertain  future.  He  was  truth 
ful,  and  so  answered  to  Kitty's  last  re 
mark,  "  May-be  you  are  right,  Kitty ;  but 
things  look  black  to  me  to-day." 

11  There,  there's  somebody  stopping  at 


BEN  AT  HOME.  101 

the  door,"  said  Kitty  quickly,  as  she 
threw  aside  her  working  apron,  and 
smoothed  down  her  hair. 

The  stranger  was  a  gentlemanly  look 
ing  person,  about  twenty-five  years  of 
age,  and  yet  he  was  so  sun-burned  that 
he  might  have  passed  for  full  ten  years 
older. 

"  Is  this  Ben  Kuhn's  house?"  was  his 
inquiry. 

"Sure  enough;  and  here  is  Ben  at 
home  to-day,"  said  Kitty,  ushering  the 
stranger  into  the  room. 

Ben  looked  up  as  if  half  ashamed  to 
be  found  in  the  house  at  midday,  and  he 
apologized  as  he  rose  with  difficulty, 
"I'm  a  little  under  the  weather,  sir;  a 
touch  of  the  rheumatism.  It  puts  me  by 
for  a  day  or  so,  now  and  then." 

"Do  you  remember  John  Fearing?" 
said  the  stranger,  standing  directly  in 
front  of  Ben's  chair. 


102   THE  WOODMAN'S  NANNETTE. 

"Master  John,"  said  Ben,  putting  out 
his  hand  for  a  hearty  grasp.  "Now  I 
do  feel  old.  Why,  you  are  grown  up, 
and  do  n't  look  a  bit  as  you  used  to,  and 
yet  there  is  something  of  you  left  yet. 
Kitty,  this  is  young  Master  John,  that 
left  Bounce  with  me.  You  'd  like  to  hear 
about  the  dog,  I  suppose ;  you  were  so 
uncommon  fond  of  him.  He  's  been  the 
best  and  knowingest  creature  that  ever 
lived;  but  he's  getting  old  now.  You 
can't  begin  to  understand  what  he  has 
been,  almost  as  wise  as  folks.  But  what 
ails  you,  Master  John  ?" 

Mr.  Fearing  had  a  long  story  to  tell 
about  poor  Bounce,  and  there  was  not  a 
dry  eye  in  the  company ;  yet  Kitty's  first 
exclamation  was,  "Praise  be  to  God, 
Nannette  is  safe!  The  dear  child!  That 
was  just  like  her,  never  to  think  of  her 
self  till  everybody  else  was  looked  after. 
I  always  said  she  'd  go  through  fire  and 


BEN  AT  HOME.  103 

water  for  anybody  she  loved.  Are  you 
sure  she  is  n't  hurt  ?" 

"  Only  a  little  sore  and  bruised — noth 
ing  that  will  last ;  and  so  sweet  and  grate 
ful,  that  it  is  a  lesson  to  see  her.  I  think 
she  has  done  us  all  good.  She  wants  to 
see  you,  and  she  is  coming  home  as  soon 
as  she  can  for  a  little  visit ;  and  then,  if 
you  and  your  good  husband  are  willing, 
they  are  going  to  keep  her  four  years 
more  at  the  new  Asylum,  to  give  her  a 
thorough  education.  This  they  do  as  a 
reward  for  her  noble  behavior." 

"And  no  more  than  she  deserves/7 
said  Ben  bluntly. 

"It  will  be  hard  to  spare  her  so  long," 
said  the  mother. 

"  I  don 't  see  any  need  of  sparing  her. 
I  suppose  you  have  not  promised  to  live 
here  all  your  life,  have  you,  Ben?"  said 
Mr.  Fearing. 

"I  never  want  to  have  a  better  roof 


104         THE  WOODMAN'S  NANNETTE. 

over  my  head.  We've  done  very  well 
here,"  said  Ben,  whose  complaining  mood 
was  over.  "I  don't  quite  take  your 
meaning,  sir." 

"If  you  could  get  work  nearer  the 
city,  where  you  could  have  Nannette 
with  you,  and  just  send  her  to  school 
every  day,  may-be  you  would  like  it." 

Kitty's  face  brightened,  and  she  said 
earnestly,  "And  then  we  could  go  to 
church  too,  Ben.  We  ought  to  think  of 
that." 

Ben  did  think  a  great  deal  before  he 
concluded  to  accept  Mr.  Fearing's  pro 
posal.  It  was  at  length  decided  that  Ben 
and  Kitty  should  take  a  small  house  on 
Mr.  Fearing's  farm,  only  a  mile  from  the 
city,  it  being  particularly  understood  that 
Ben  should  be  master  on  his  own  little 
patch  of  ground,  and  earn  his  living  like 
an  honest,  industrious  man. 


LIGHT  AT  EVENING-TIME.  105 

CHAPTER  XIY. 

LIGHT  AT  EVENING-TIME. 

BEN  KUHN  had  been  right  in  some  of 
his  forebodings.  Old  age  did  come  upon 
him  early,  and  his  enemy  the  rheumatism 
took  the  strength  out  of  his  sturdy  arms 
before  his  head  was  crowned  with  hoary 
hair.  Kitty  too  was  by  no  means  ro 
bust,  though  her  sweet  cheerful  spirit 
well-nigh  made  those  around  her  forget 
that  she  had  any  pains  of  her  own  to 
bear. 

If  there  was  any  thing  of  which  Ben 
Kuhn  had  a  horror,  it  was  being  sup 
ported  by  charity.  It  would  not  have 
been  more  agreeable  to  him  to  live  on 
"  Master  John's7'  bounty  than  on  that  of 
the  benevolent  societies  in  which  the 
growing  western  city  abounded.  Indeed, 


106   THE  WOODMAN'S  NANNETTE. 

Ben  had  been  heard  to  say  that  the  only 
alms  that  he  could  ever  take  without  a 
blush,  were  the  church  offerings  of  his 
own  fellow-Christians ;  that,  if  absolutely 
necessary,  would  not  be  so  very  hard, 
but  he  hoped  he  should  never  come  even 
to  that. 

There  was  doubtless  a  great  deal  of 
pride  mixed  with  Ben's  better  feelings; 
but  for  a  man  who  has  been  trained  to 
honest  industry,  it  must  ever  be  hard  to 
submit  to  living  upon  the  kindness  even 
of  the  most  generous. 

Who  then  was  the  stay  of  Ben's  old 
age?  Who  was  it  that  spared  Kitty's 
delicate  frame  the  hard  labor  she  could 
not  perform  ?  Could  it  be  the  mute  ? 

Little  Nannette  is  now  a  woman 
grown.  Hers  is  a  continual  ministry  of 
love.  Her  busy  hands  make  all  com 
fortable  at  home  in  the  morning,  and 
her  bright  parting  smile  lingers  in  her 


LIGHT  AT  EVENING-TIME.  lOt 

father's  mind  during  the  long  day  that 
she  is  absent. 

Bound  her  she  gathers  a  class  of  the 
pupils  at  the  spacious  Deaf  and  Dumb 
Asylum,  and  teaches  them  in  her  own 
ingenious  way.  She  can  bear  with  the 
most  wayward,  and  persevere  with  the 
most  stupid.  If  she  will  but  be  patient, 
she  is  sure  that  her  earnest  longings  will 
yet  be  gratified.  Are  not  these  dear 
helpless  lambs  of  the  Saviour's  fold, 
whom  she  may  lay  on  his  bosom  ?  Once 
she  was  herself  a  poor  blinded  wander 
er,  knowing  not  the  good  Shepherd. 
Now  she  has  found  him,  "  full  of  grace 
and  truth ;"  and  gladly  would  she  lead 
the  little  ones  to  him,  that  they  may 
know  his  voice,  and  follow  him  to  the 
eternal  pastures. 

How  the  children  love  her !  How  they 
cluster  about  her,  and  look  up  to  her 
with  new  respect,  when  they  learn  the 


108    THE  WOODMAN'S  NANNETTE. 

story  of  the  statue  in  the  centre  of  the 
lawn!  They  have  a  tear  to  shed  for 
Bounce,  but  their  hearts  are  stirred  with 
a  deeper  feeling  as  they  think  of  Nan 
nette,  and  they  resolve  to  be  like  her, 
loving  and  unselfish.  Ah,  Nannette, 
with  her  closed  ears  and  silent  lips,  is 
doing  a  work  which  should  bring  a  blush 
to  the  cheeks  of  our  Saviour's  more 
favored  children.  If  her  talents  be  few, 
she  is  improving  them  faithfully  for  the 
great  Lord  of  the  vineyard. 

It  is  not  the  mutes  alone  who  have 
learned  from  Nannette :  Bessie  Haviland 
blesses  the  day  when  her  dumb  friend 
first  prompted  her  to  seek  the  help  of 
her  Saviour  in  her  struggles  with  her 
own  wilful  spirit. 

It  was  a  merciful  providence  for  Bes 
sie,  that  made  Nannette,  for  those  few 
weeks  after  the  fire,  an  inmate  of  Mr. 
Haviland's  household.  Day  by  day,  and 


LIGHT  AT  EVENING-TIME.  109 

hour  by  hour,  Bessie's  new  resolutions 
were  strengthened,  and  her  yearning 
soul  taught  where  to  find  peace  and  joy 
in  believing.  And  now,  when  they  kneel 
together  at  the  communion,  Bessie's  grate 
ful  heart  acknowledges  that  but  for 
Nannette  she  might  still  be  an  outcast, 
wandering  far  away  from  the  Master's 
table. 

"  Where  is  our  Nannette?  Isn't  it 
time  for  her  to  come  home  ?"  says  Ben 
Kuhn,  as  the  evening  draws  near.  "The 
dear  child!  If  her  life  is  spared,  she 
will  never  leave  us.  Strange  that  she 
should  be  a  teacher  and  work  for  her 
poor  father,  and  teach  him  too  how  to 
trust  in  God.  We  shall  have  her,  Kitty, 
while  we  live ;  and  if  we  die  first,  we  need 
not  fear  to  leave  her  here.  It  will  not 
be  a  cold  world  for  her.  While  the 
deaf  and  dumb  are  left  in  the  country 
there  will  be  homes  open  to  her,  rich 


110   THE  WOODMAN'S  NANNETTE. 

homes  and  poor  homes,  rich  hearts  and 
poor  hearts.  They  all  love  her.  She 
sows  the  good  seed  and  works  for  the 
heavenly  Master.  We  can  leave  her 
to  him  and  his  true  children  without  a 
fear.  God  will  ever  bless  Nannette !" 


